Mughal Emperors: Jahangir and Shah Jahan

• The emperors Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb reigned after Akbar.

Jahangir's Justice

• Jahangir installed a Chain of Justice with 60 gold bells between the palace and Yamuna River banks.
• People could ring the bell to seek justice.

Shah Jahan

• Shah Jahan is known as the "Engineer King" because of his architectural patronage.
• Shahjahanabad, now Old Delhi, was his new capital city.
• His reign is considered the Golden Age of the Mughal empire
• He had undisturbed peace, devoted time to maintain order, trade and commerce flourished, land was fertile, and revenue flowed into the treasury
• Many public welfare projects, such as roads and canals, were undertaken.
• The Taj Mahal, a symbol of love, was constructed for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
• He built the Red Fort in Shahjahanabad

Nur Jahan

• Nur Jahan became the virtual ruler of the Mughal empire.
• During Jahangir's final years, a power struggle arose between her and Shah Jahan.
• She means "light of the world" and was intelligent, beautiful, educated, cultured, a good poet/designer, designed fabrics/jewelry, and helped Jahangir with government decisions
• She became the power behind the throne, with Jahangir consulting her on governmental affairs.

Aurangzeb

• Aurangzeb reimposed the Jazia and pilgrimage tax.
• His religious fanaticism overshadowed his virtues.
• His religious intolerance weakened the Mughal Empire, leading to conflicts and wars.
• He spent the first half of his reign in the North and the second half in the Deccan
• For the last 26 years of his reign he fought against the Marathas and the Sultanates of Bijapur and Golconda.
• Conflicts arose with the Jats, Satnamis, Sikhs, Rajputs, and Marathas
• His policies destroyed the empire's peace, disrupted its economy, and weakened its administration, military strength, and overall impact.

Aurangzeb's Conflicts

• The Rajputs were treated poorly, causing resentment
• Conflicts with the Marathas began over Bijapur's conquest.
• Relations with the Sikhs were strained after Guru Arjan Dev's execution.

The Sikhs

• The Sikhs emerged as a political power after Guru Tegh Bahadur's execution.
• Aurangzeb and his successors struggled to contain the Sikhs' rising power.
• Khalsa were the sikhs
• Open wars started between the Sikhs and the Mughals after Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed on Aurangzeb's order

Decline of the Mughal Empire

• Aurangzeb's orthodox religious policies antagonized Hindus, Muslims, Jats, Sikhs, and Marathas.
• Conquests of Bijapur and Golconda led the empire to become too large which was hard to manage.
• Aurangzeb's 25-year stay in the Deccan neglected the north and helped raise Maratha power.
• His successors were weak and unable to control revolts or nobles.
• Governors in the Deccan, Awadh, and Bengal declared independence.
• Aurangzeb's long wars in the Deccan drained the treasury, leaving later rulers unable to pay soldiers and officers.

Aurangzeb's Deccan Campaigns

• Fought to crush the growing powers of the Marathas
• The Marathas were strong, courageous, and did not accept his lordship of the ruler.

Abdali's Invasion

• Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India multiple times between 1747 and 1767.
• He defeated the Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761.

Key Figures

• Taj Mahal shows a variety of cultural influences.
• Treaty of Purandhar was signed between Mughals and Rajput ruler Jain Singh.
• Nur Jahan's original name was Mehrunnisa.
• Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru, was executed on Aurangzeb's order.
• Jahangir defeated the Rana of Mewar.
• The Peacock Throne was taken to Persia by Nadir Shah.

Overview of the reigns of Mughal emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan after Akbar. Jahangir installed a Chain of Justice, while Shah Jahan, known as the 'Engineer King,' constructed the Taj Mahal and Red Fort. Nur Jahan rose to become the virtual ruler during Jahangir's rule.