The cultural development in India from 1300 to 1500 was marked by the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, significant architectural advancements, and social and religious changes resulting from the interaction between the Turks and Indians. This period saw the emergence of new artistic and architectural styles, enriched by the fusion of Arabo-Persian and Indian traditions. Despite challenges, this era laid the groundwork for a diverse and vibrant cultural heritage in India.

Sanskrit continued to be a vehicle for higher thought and a medium for literature.

• Immense production of works in Sanskrit, greater than in the preceding period.


• Works in philosophy by Ramanuja, Madhava, Vallabha, etc., written in Sanskrit.


• Network of specialized schools and academies in different parts of the country.


• Introduction of paper helped reproduce and disseminate older texts.


• Works in poetical narrative, drama, fiction, medicine, astronomy, music, etc., continued to be written.


• Commentaries and digests on Hindu law (Dharmashastras) were prepared between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries.


• Significant contributors include Vijnaneshwar and Chandeshwar of Bihar.


• The Jains, particularly Hemachandra Suri, also contributed to Sanskrit literature.


• Limited translation of Islamic works or Persian literature into Sanskrit.


• Notable translations include the love story of Yusuf and Zulaikha and works on the astrolabe.

Literary works of high quality were produced in many regional languages.

• Languages like Hindi, Bengali, and Marathi trace their origins back to the eighth century.


• Early saints and Bhakti poets used common languages for literary purposes.


• Use of regional languages in administration continued under Turkish rule.


• Development of literature in Telugu, Marathi, and other languages under regional patronage.


• Muslim kings later patronized regional languages for literary purposes.


• Examples include translations of Mahabharata and Ramayana into Bengali by Nusrat Shah of Bengal.


• Sufi saints like Malik Muhammad Jaisi wrote in Hindi, promoting Sufi concepts.