Medieval World — Important Questions

Absolute submission to God

Step 1: Islam is derived from an Arabic word that has a specific meaning. Step 2: The word 'Islam' literally means absolute submission to God and adherence to faith. Step 3: This submission is complete and involves following God's commandments. Step 4: While peace, brotherhood, and salvation are important concepts in Islam, they are not the literal meaning of the word 'Islam'. Step 5: The followers of Islam are called Muslims, meaning 'those who submit to God'.

Indian number system

Step 1: Arabs made significant contributions to mathematics by synthesizing existing knowledge. Step 2: They combined the geometry developed by the Greeks with the number system from India. Step 3: The Indian number system included the concept of zero and decimal notation. Step 4: This synthesis allowed Arabs to make great progress in arithmetic, geometry, and trigonometry. Step 5: The Indian numerals spread so widely through Arab influence that the West called them 'Arabic numerals', though they originated in India.

Palas, Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas

Step 1: After King Harshavardhana's reign ended, India entered a period of political decentralization. Step 2: Between the 8th and 10th centuries, several kingdoms competed for supremacy. Step 3: The three major kingdoms in Northern India were the Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas. Step 4: Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras were South Indian kingdoms. Step 5: Guptas and Mauryas were earlier ancient empires, while Mughals and Sultans came later in the medieval period.

Iqtas

Step 1: The Delhi Sultanate introduced new administrative innovations in land revenue system. Step 2: Military commanders were assigned territorial units called 'iqtas' for their sustenance. Step 3: These iqtas were transferable and gave control over revenues, not ownership of land. Step 4: The assignees (iqtadars) used revenue to maintain themselves and their troops. Step 5: Jagirs were similar assignments in the Mughal system, while Mansabs were ranks, and Zamindaris were later revenue collection units.