BABUR (1526–1530)

  • Founder of the Mughal Empire in India.
  • Descendant of Timur (father’s side) and Genghis Khan (mother’s side).
  • Invited by Afghan nobles and Rajput dissidents to fight Ibrahim Lodi.

Major Battles:

  • First Battle of Panipat (1526): Defeated Ibrahim Lodi, ended Delhi Sultanate; introduction of gunpowder and field artillery.
  • Battle of Khanwa (1527): Defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar.
  • Battle of Chanderi (1528): Defeated Medini Rai.
  • Battle of Ghaghra (1529): Defeated Afghans.

Contributions:

  • Introduced Turko-Mongol military techniques and modern artillery.
  • Wrote Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama) in Turkish.
  • Died in 1530; succeeded by Humayun.

HUMAYUN (1530–1540, 1555–1556)

  • Faced strong opposition from Afghan chiefs and Sher Shah Suri.

Initial Struggles:

  • Lost to Sher Shah in:
    • Battle of Chausa (1539)
    • Battle of Kannauj (1540)
  • Forced into exile in Persia (Iran).
  • Regained throne in 1555 with Persian support but died in 1556 after a fall from stairs.

THE SUR DYNASTY (1540–1555)

Founded by Sher Shah Suri, an Afghan noble.

Sher Shah Suri (1540–1545):

  • Excellent administrator and reformer.
  • Introduced:
    • Standardized revenue system (Zabt system).
    • Improved road infrastructure (Grand Trunk Road).
    • Efficient postal system and military reforms.
    • Rupiya as standard currency.

Decline of Sur Dynasty:

  • Weak successors.
  • Empire disintegrated after 1555, enabling Humayun’s return.

EXPANSION AND CONSOLIDATION (Akbar to Aurangzeb)

AKBAR (1556–1605)

  • Crowned at 13; real control under Bairam Khan initially.
  • Defeated Hemu in Second Battle of Panipat (1556).

Political Expansion:

  • Conquered Malwa, Gujarat, Bengal, Rajasthan, Deccan (Ahmednagar).
  • Rajput Policy: Matrimonial alliances (e.g., with Jodha Bai); appointed Rajputs in administration.

Administration:

  • Introduced Mansabdari System and Zabt revenue system (with Todar Mal).
  • Divine Faith (Din-i-Ilahi): Religious synthesis.
  • Promoted Sulh-i-Kul (universal tolerance).
  • Built Fatehpur Sikri; patron of arts and culture.

JAHANGIR (1605–1627)

  • Known for justice (“Chain of Justice”).
  • Continued Akbar’s policies.
  • Influenced by wife Nur Jahan (formed “Nur Jahan Junta”).
  • Faced rebellion of Khusrau, his son.
  • English got first factory at Surat (1613).

SHAH JAHAN (1628–1658)

  • Known for architectural achievements:
    • Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Jama Masjid.
  • Maintained internal peace and court magnificence.
  • Faced Deccan revolts and Portuguese in Bengal.
  • War of succession between sons; Aurangzeb emerged victorious.

AURANGZEB (1658–1707)

  • Longest-reigning Mughal emperor.
  • Orthodox Sunni; reimposed Jizya, banned music at court.
  • Annexed Deccan states (Bijapur and Golconda).

Challenges:

  • Religious intolerance led to alienation of Rajputs, Marathas, Sikhs.
  • Faced multiple revolts:
    • Marathas (Shivaji)
    • Sikhs (Guru Tegh Bahadur, Guru Gobind Singh)
    • Jats, Satnamis
  • Exhausting Deccan campaigns depleted empire resources.
  • Died in 1707; left a vast but unstable empire.

DECLINE OF THE MUGHAL EMPIRE (Post-1707)

1. Weak Successors

  • After Aurangzeb, most rulers were inefficient and indulgent.
  • Frequent wars of succession weakened central authority.

2. Over-Centralization

  • Excessive control from the center without strong provincial autonomy led to administrative failure.

3. Deccan Campaigns

  • Aurangzeb’s long Deccan wars drained treasury and diverted attention from the north.

4. Religious Intolerance

  • Alienated important groups like Rajputs and Sikhs.
  • Rise of sectarian uprisings.

5. Rise of Regional Powers

  • Formation of independent states like Hyderabad, Bengal, Awadh, Punjab, Mysore, and Maratha Confederacy.

6. Foreign Invasions

  • Nadir Shah’s invasion (1739) – sacked Delhi, looted the Peacock Throne.
  • Ahmad Shah Abdali’s repeated invasions, weakening the northwest frontier.

7. Economic Crisis

  • Decline of trade, rise in peasant revolts, heavy taxation, and corruption.

8. European Intervention

  • Rise of British East India Company and French Compagnie.
  • Battle of Plassey (1757) and Buxar (1764) signaled the end of Mughal real authority.

Final Phase:

  • Bahadur Shah II (Zafar), the last Mughal emperor, was deposed by the British after the 1857 Revolt.
  • Mughals formally ended with British proclamation in 1858.

Conclusion

The Mughal Empire significantly shaped India’s political, cultural, and architectural landscape. Its centralization and administrative innovations were unparalleled. However, religious orthodoxy, weak successors, and regional ambitions led to fragmentation, paving the way for colonial rule.

Published by Pragyanxetu

One Earth. One Future

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