Medieval Period in Bihar

This period in Bihar was marked by Turkish invasions from West Asia and the rise and fall of several dynasties, shaping the political, social, and religious landscape of the region.

Turkish Invasions in Bihar

• From the 11th century, Magadh (Bihar) faced repeated attacks from Islamic invaders of the Middle East.
• Bakhtiyar Khalji, a slave of Muhammad Ghori, attacked Bihar and destroyed Buddhist monasteries, including Nalanda and Vikramshila Universities, causing widespread loss of life.
• His invasions led to the decline of Buddhism in Magadh.
• Bakhtiyar Khalji also destroyed Odantpuri University and established the city of Bakhtiyarpur in 1198 AD.
• Northern Bihar remained under the Karnata rulers of Mithila, while Southern Bihar had small independent kingdoms.
• He extended his conquests to Bengal and Assam, dying later in Bihar; his mausoleum is in Bihar Sharif.
• Accounts of his invasion are documented by Sadruddin Hasan Nizami in 'Taj-ul-Maasir' (1192–1228 AD).
• Turkish invasions brought Bihar under the Delhi Sultanate, either directly or as a separate province.
  
  

Bihar under the Slave Dynasty

• Qutb-ud-din Aibak founded the Slave Dynasty; limited information exists about Bihar under him.
• Iltutmish captured Bihar Sharif in 1225 AD and integrated Bihar under the Delhi Sultanate, appointing Malik Allauddin Jani as Subedar.
• His successors included Saifuddin Aibak and Tughan Khan.
• Post Iltutmish, Delhi’s control weakened after his death in 1236 AD.
• Important regions under the Slave Dynasty included Maner, Bihar Sharif, Bhojpur, Gaya, Patna, Munger, Bhagalpur, Santhal Pargana, Nalanda, Lakhisarai, and Vikramshila.
  
  

Bihar under Khilji Dynasty

• Jalaluddin Khilji became Sultan of Delhi in 1290 AD, marking the start of Khilji rule.
• Alauddin Khilji (1296 AD) introduced revenue reforms in Bihar, including half-crop collection.
• Limited control was exercised in Bihar; coins from Bhojpur and Lakhisarai testify to their presence.
  
  

Bihar under Tughlaq Dynasty

• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq invaded Bihar in 1324 AD, defeating Mithila King Harisimhadeva.
• Bihar saw forts and mosques built during Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign, including Tughlaqpur (Darbhanga).
• Persian inscriptions and coins from Bihar Sharif, Patna, and Gaya indicate Tughlaq rule.
• Taimur’s invasion (1398–99) ended Tughlaq dominance, leading to Sharqi rule from Jaunpur, covering Buxar and Darbhanga.
  
  

Chero Dynasty

• A tribal state, the Chero dynasty ruled for about 300 years in Bhojpur, Shahabad, Saran, Champaran, Muzaffarpur, and Palamu.
• Medini Rai was the most famous ruler; his territory extended to Gaya, Dawoodnagar, Arwal, and Ramgarh.
• The dynasty was eventually absorbed into the Mughal Empire.

Ujjaini Dynasty of Bhojpur

• The Ujjainiyas, a Rajput clan, established dominance in Buxar, Jagdishpur, and Dumraon, succeeding the Cheros.
• Devraj (Santan Singh) founded Bhojpur after defeating Sahasbal of Chero.
• Gajpat Ujjainiya allied with Sher Shah Suri to defeat the Bengal Sultanate.

Noohani Dynasty

• Emerged during the reign of Sikandar Lodi; Dariya Khan Noohani became administrator of Bihar.
• Bahar Khan Noohani declared independence as Sultan Mohammad in 1523 AD.
• Defeated by Babur in the Battle of Ghaghra (1529), ending Noohani dominance.
• Sher Shah Suri rose as a powerful Afghan ruler afterward.
  
  

Sur Dynasty

• Sher Shah Suri (Farid Khan) established the Suri Empire with Sasaram as capital.
• Key battles: Surajgarh (1534), Chausa (1539), and Kannauj (1540) against Humayun.
• Introduced land revenue reforms, silver coins, and extended the Grand Trunk Road.
• Patna became the capital of Bihar province in 1541 AD.
• Sher Shah died in 1545 AD; tomb located at Sasaram.
  
  

Karrani Dynasty

• Taj Khan Karrani ruled Bihar after Sur dynasty; Bihar Sharif became the capital.
• Sulaiman Karrani (1565–1572) accepted Mughal suzerainty; his son Daud rebelled.
• Akbar captured Hajipur and defeated Daud (1576), establishing Mughal rule firmly.
  
  

Mughal Rule in Bihar

• Bihar became a Mughal Subah (province) with its seat at Patna.
• Raja Man Singh appointed Subedar in 1587, defeating local chiefs and strengthening Mughal administration.
• During Jahangir’s reign, his son Parvez and later Shahzada Khurram served as governors.
• Shah Jahan’s period: governors included Saif Khan, Abdullah Khan, Shaista Khan, and others; Patna saw construction of Shahi Idgah and Bagh-i-Jafar Khan.
• Aurangzeb’s rule: Daud Khan Quraishi expanded control to Chota Nagpur, later replaced by Prince Azim (Azim-ush-Shan).
• Mughal decline after Bahadur Shah I; Farrukhsiyar crowned in Patna (1713).
  
  

Economic, Religious, and Social Conditions

• Religious: Hinduism dominant; Vishnupad Temple (Gaya)
• Economic: Agriculture (rice, wheat, cotton, pulses, tobacco, opium), small-scale silk, sugar, leather, and textile industries.
• Social: Common people lived under harsh conditions; slavery existed.
• Religious sects: Shaivites gained popularity; Mithilas worshipped Shakti.
  
  

Sufism and Sikhism

• Sufism spread through Bihar; notable saint: Naqshbandi Makhdoom Sharfuddin Ahmed Yahya Maneri (born 1264 AD, Maner).
• Sikhism spread later; Guru Nanak (1509 AD) visited Patna, and Guru Gobind Singh was born in 1666 AD at Patna Sahib.
• Important sites: Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Gurdwara Ghai Ghat, Gurdwara Gobind Ghat, etc.
  
  

Important Monuments

• Monuments reflect Bihar’s medieval political, social, and religious life.
• 70 monuments of national importance recognized by ASI.

Famous Sites:

• Queen’s Palace, Tomb of Ibrahim Bayu – Bihar Sharif, Nalanda
• Rohtasgarh Fort – Rohtasgarh, Rohtas
• Tomb of Sher Shah Suri – Sasaram, Rohtas
• Three Rock Inscription – Sasaram, Rohtas
• Tomb of Bakhtiyar Khan – Malik Sarai, Kaimur
• Tomb of Hasan Shah Suri – Sasaram, Rohtas
• Tomb of Shah Makhadum, Daulat Maneri, Ibrahim Khan – Bihar