Regional kingdoms and the bhakti saints
As Delhi weakened, Gujarat, Malwa, Bengal, Kashmir, Mewar and Odisha became strong kingdoms, and saints like Kabir, Guru Nanak and Chaitanya preached devotion.
How it was ruled
Sultanates in Gujarat, Malwa, Jaunpur, Bengal and Kashmir; the Rajput kingdom of Mewar under Rana Kumbha and Rana Sanga; the Gajapati kings of Odisha.
How people lived
The bhakti movement spread in every language: Kabir and Ravidas in Hindi, Guru Nanak (1469–1539) in Punjabi, Chaitanya in Bengal and Odisha, Sankardev in Assam, Namdev and later Tukaram in Marathi.
What people did
Farming, weaving (Gujarat and Bengal textiles were famous), and building forts, mosques and temples.
What people ate
Regional food much as today; Gujarat's and Bengal's ports brought spices and sugar into wide use.
Trade
Cambay and Surat in Gujarat and Chittagong and Satgaon in Bengal were great ports.
Region by region
- Gujarat: Ahmedabad founded in 1411 by Ahmad Shah (the old city is a UNESCO World Heritage City).
- Rajasthan: Rana Kumbha built Kumbhalgarh fort and the Vijay Stambh at Chittorgarh.
- Jammu and Kashmir: Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (Budshah, 1420–1470) was known for his tolerance and support of crafts.
- Odisha: The Gajapati kings ruled from Cuttack and supported the Jagannath temple.
- Punjab: Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, taught the oneness of God and equality.
- West Bengal: The Bengal sultanate at Gaur and Pandua; Chaitanya's devotional movement.
Key events
- 1411: Ahmedabad founded
- 1469: Birth of Guru Nanak
- 1527: Rana Sanga fights Babur at Khanwa
Legacy
Sikhism, the bhakti poetry still sung across India, and forts such as Kumbhalgarh (Hill Forts of Rajasthan, UNESCO).