Mughal Empire: Foundation and Emperors

The Mughal Empire was established in 1526 by Babur, a ruler of Uzbek origin, after defeating the Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodi, in the First Battle of Panipat. Babur's grandson, Akbar, solidified the empire's structure in 1600, which endured until 1720 after the death of Aurangzeb.

The Mughal Emperors were descendants of Genghis Khan on their mother's side and Timur on their father's side. They were proud of their Timurid lineage, as Timur had conquered Delhi. However, they disliked being called Mongol due to the association with Genghis Khan's brutal conquests.

Aurangzeb's strict religious policies and suppression of other religions alienated many of his subjects, including the Hindus who were already unhappy with his reimposition of the Jizya tax. This led to revolts and weakened the Mughal Empire.

The Maratha Empire, under Shivaji Maharaj's leadership, emerged as a major threat to the Mughals during Aurangzeb's reign. He spent a significant portion of his reign trying to suppress them, depleting the Mughal treasury and resources.

Successive Mughal rulers after Aurangzeb were weak and ineffective, unable to maintain control over the vast empire. Internal conflicts, rebellions, and foreign invasions further accelerated the decline.

The Mughal Empire faced a number of foreign invasions, including those by the Persians and Afghan tribes. These invasions further weakened the empire's resources and authority.

Increased corruption and inefficiency within the Mughal military, particularly due to the system of Mansabdars, weakened the empire's defensive capabilities. This made it vulnerable to internal rebellions and external attacks.

Akbar was known for his policy of religious tolerance. He allowed Hindus to build temples and participate in their festivals.

Akbar reformed social practices by banning Sati, discouraging child marriage, and raising the minimum age for marriage.

Akbar's architecture blended Indo-Persian styles, reflecting his tolerance. It is known for using red sandstone.

Jahangir, meaning 'Conqueror of the World', continued Akbar's policy of expanding the Mughal Empire. He conquered Ahmednagar and strengthened control over Awadh and Bengal.

Nur Jahan, Jahangir's wife, wielded significant influence in his court. She was a trusted advisor and had her own coins minted.

Jahangir maintained a system of justice called the Chain of Justice, allowing people to appeal directly to him. He also emphasized friendly relations with Rajputs.

Shah Jahan's reign is often called the 'Golden Age' of Mughal architecture. He patronized both Persian and Hindi literature and was known for his love of white marble.

The Taj Mahal, a symbol of Shah Jahan's love for Mumtaz Mahal, is a masterpiece of white marble and intricate designs

Shah Jahan shifted the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi, constructing the magnificent Red Fort and the Jama Masjid.

Aurangzeb, the last of the Great Mughals, ruled a vast empire that faced many rebellions. He dealt with conflicts with the Sikhs and Marathas.

The 10th Sikh Guru, Govind Singh, led a rebellion against Aurangzeb, organizing the Sikhs into the Khalsa force.

Shivaji, a Maratha leader, challenged Aurangzeb's authority and laid the foundation for the powerful Maratha Kingdom.

The Buland Darwaza, the Panch Mahal, and the forts of Agra and Allahabad are some of Akbar's significant architectural achievements.

The Moti Masjid is considered to be the most perfect example of Shah Jahan's architectural style.

The Badshahi mosque in Lahore, built by Aurangzeb, is a grand symbol of Mughal power.

Babur's army, known for its discipline and use of artillery, decisively defeated Ibrahim Lodi's larger but disorganized forces at the Battle of Panipat in 1526.

The Battle of Khanwa (1527) saw Babur's army defeat a larger Rajput force led by Rana Sanga, consolidating Mughal control over Central India.

Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, was known for his military skills, leadership, and cultural interests. He wrote his autobiography, 'Baburnama,' in Turki.

Humayun faced challenges during his reign, losing his empire to Sher Shah Suri, who established the Sur Dynasty.

The Sur Dynasty, founded by Sher Shah Suri, briefly replaced the Mughals in India after Humayun's defeat.

Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, is renowned for his religious tolerance and administrative reforms. He held assemblies of different faiths at the Ibadat Khana in Fatehpur Sikri.

The Mansabdari System, introduced by Akbar, assigned ranks to officials based on their military and administrative responsibilities, determining their salary and the number of troops they commanded.

The Zat was a numerical value assigned to Mansabdars in the Mansabdari System, indicating the number of troops under their command, and thus their rank and salary.

The term 'Zamindar' encompasses both local headmen and powerful chieftains who served as intermediaries between the Mughal rulers and the peasantry in collecting agricultural taxes.

Abul Fazl chronicled the history of Akbar's reign in a three-volume work called 'Akbarnama.' The third volume, 'Ain-i-Akbari,' details Akbar's administration, army, revenues, and the geography of his empire.

Sulh-i-Kul, meaning 'peace with all,' was a policy of religious tolerance promoted by Akbar, encompassing abolishing practices like enslaving prisoners of war and levying taxes on pilgrims and non-Muslims.

The Ibadat Khana, a place of worship in Fatehpur Sikri, was established by Akbar to promote dialogue and understanding among different religions.

Mirza Hakim, Akbar's half-brother, rebelled against him, leading to campaigns in the northwest and the annexation of Kashmir and Kabul.

Prince Salim, Akbar's son and the future Emperor Jahangir, rebelled in the later years of Akbar's reign, creating a distraction during his final campaigns.