Mughal Rule in India - 9th Class

Mughal Rule in India

• The lesson focuses on the Mughal Empire in India, particularly during the medieval period.
• The tutorial is specifically for Class 9 students.

First Battle of Panipat (1526)

• The First Battle of Panipat in 1526 was a pivotal moment for the Mughal Empire.
• Babur was invited to India by an Indian king named Jaichand to defeat Ibrahim Lodhi.
• Ibrahim Lodhi was the ruler of a significant part of India during that time.
• Despite having only 12,000 soldiers, Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi, who had approximately one lakh soldiers.
• Babur's victory in the First Battle of Panipat marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.
• Babur is considered the founder of the Mughal dynasty.
• Humayun succeeded Babur, followed by Akbar.

Sources of Information on the Mughal Empire

• Information about the Mughal Empire is derived from various sources including Ain-i-Akbari, written by Abul Fazl.
• Abul Fazl was one of the "Navratnas" (nine jewels) in Akbar's court.
• Ain-i-Akbari provides detailed information about various aspects of the Mughal Empire, including the king's palace, services, military, civil services, administration, social customs, logic, and literature.
• Monuments built by the Mughals, especially Akbar, serve as another important source of information.

Mughal Architecture

• Shah Jahan, known as the "Engineer King" of medieval India, commissioned the construction of many monuments.
• The Taj Mahal, located in Agra, was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
• The Taj Mahal is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River.
• Ustad Isa was the chief architect of the Taj Mahal, which is made of pure white marble.
• The Taj Mahal is recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
• The Jama Masjid, also commissioned by Shah Jahan, is the largest mosque in India.
• The Red Fort (Lal Qila) in Delhi was built by Shah Jahan using red sandstone; the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag there every year on August 15th.

Akbar

• Akbar is considered the most secular among the Mughal rulers.
• Akbar became king at the age of 13 after his father, Humayun, passed away.
• Bairam Khan, Akbar's teacher and guardian, helped him win the Second Battle of Panipat, thereby securing the Mughal Empire.
• In the Second Battle of Panipat, Akbar defeated Hemu, an Indian ruler.

Battle of Haldighati (1576)

• The Battle of Haldighati in 1576 was fought between Akbar and Maharana Pratap.
• Maharana Pratap, a Rajput ruler of Mewar, refused to surrender to Akbar.
• Despite facing numerous challenges, Maharana Pratap never gave up and eventually reclaimed a major portion of his kingdom from the Mughals after 25 years of struggle.

Akbar's Policies towards Rajputs

• Akbar understood the importance of Rajputs and sought to establish friendly relations with them.
• Akbar entered into marriage alliances with Rajput families, such as marrying Harkha Bai, the daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amber.
• Akbar granted complete religious freedom to the Rajputs and appointed many of them to high positions in his court.

Akbar's Religious Tolerance

• Akbar abolished the Jizya tax, which was imposed on non-Muslims (particularly Hindus), as well as the pilgrimage tax on Hindu religious sites.
• Akbar adopted liberal policies to foster cooperation between Hindus and Muslims.
• Akbar constructed Ibadat Khana in Fatehpur Sikri, where he held discussions with intellectuals from various religions.
• Akbar founded a new religion called Din-i-Ilahi, which emphasized the principle of one God for all.
• Din-i-Ilahi did not last long after Akbar's death.

Social and Educational Reforms

• Akbar implemented various social and educational reforms, including empowering Kotwals (police) to prevent sati (widow immolation).
• Akbar prohibited forced sati and legalized widow remarriage.
• Akbar raised the minimum marriage age to 14 for girls and 16 for boys.

Administrative System

• The Mughal rulers, including Akbar, had a centralized administrative system with a standing army.
• All power rested with the emperor, who was considered the supreme authority.
• The emperor was regarded as the embodiment of divine light and was responsible for executive, legislative, and judicial functions.
• The emperor appointed and removed officials and served as the commander-in-chief of the army.

Ministers

• The Prime Minister, known as "Vakil," held the most powerful position in the kingdom.
• The head of the revenue collection department was known as "Diwan."
• Mir Bakshi was the head of the military department.

Judiciary

• The head of the judicial department was "Qazi."
• Qazi was knowledgeable about Islamic law (Sharia) and was also responsible for charitable works.

Division of the Kingdom

• Akbar's vast kingdom was divided into twelve provinces known as "Subas."
• Subas were further divided into "Sarkars," which were divided into "Parganas" or "Mahals."
• The hierarchy of the kingdom's administrative divisions was: Kingdom -> Provinces (Subas) -> Sarkars -> Parganas/Mahals.
• Each province was administered by a "Subedar."