THE MUGAL DYNASTY

The Mughals

Overview of the Mughal Empire

  • The Mughal Empire lasted for over 300 years in India.

  • At its height, the empire extended from Afghanistan to the Deccan Plateau.

  • The Mughals descended from the Mongols of Central Asia and the clan of Timur.

Important Mughal Emperors

  • BABUR (Reign: 1526-30)

    • 61 places named after him.

  • HUMAYUN (Reign: 1530-40 & 1555-56)

    • 11 places named after him.

  • AKBAR (Reign: 1556-1605)

    • 251 places named after him.

  • JAHANGIR (Reign: 1605-27)

    • 141 places named after him.

  • SHAH JAHAN (Reign: 1627-58)

    • 63 places named after him.

  • AURANGZEB (Reign: 1658-1707)

    • 177 places named after him.

Usage of Elephants in Battle under the Mughals

  • Elephants played a crucial role in the Mughal military strategy by:

    • Charging and trampling enemy forces.

    • Causing psychological terror among opposing soldiers.

  • Historically, elephants had been utilized in Indian warfare for over 2,000 years.

  • Elephants in battle were equipped with body armor for protection.

    • Some had swords or metal clubs attached to their trunks.

  • With the advent of effective firearms, the primary use of elephants shifted to displaying power and transporting goods.

Babur

Background

  • Babur was the ruler of Farghana, a small territory in present-day Uzbekistan.

  • Ascended to power at a young age, losing his territories and becoming a landless ruler.

  • Established control over Kabul in Afghanistan in 1504 CE.

Babur’s Invasion of India

  • Invited by Daulat Khan Lodi (a rebel of the Lodi dynasty) to invade India.

  • Fought against Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat (1526 CE) and achieved victory, marking the beginning of the Mughal Empire.

Battles of Babur

  • Engaged in several battles to consolidate his power in India against local rulers:

    • Battle of Khanwa (1527): Against Rajput leaders.

    • Battle of Chanderi (1528): Also against Rajput leaders.

    • Battle of Ghagra (1529): Against Afghan rebels in Bengal and Bihar.

Death of Babur and Ascension of Humayun

  • Babur died in 1530, succeeded by his son Humayun.

  • Humayun inherited a fragmented empire relying on fear for control.

Sher Shah and the Afghan Interlude

  • Humayun struggled with uprisings, necessitating travel between Bihar and Gujarat.

  • Defeated by Sher Khan (later Sher Shah) in the Battles of Chausa and Kannauj, resulting in Humayun’s exile to Persia.

Administration of Sher Shah

  • Maintained aspects of the Delhi Sultanate's administration:

    • Centralized rule

    • Detailed records of soldiers

    • Horse branding

  • Established a large standing army (full-time, professional soldiers).

Empire Division

  • Organized empire into:

    1. Central Government

    2. Provinces

    3. Districts

    4. Villages

  • This organization improved control and administration.

Sher Shah's Infrastructure

  • Constructed the Grand Trunk Road, linking cities from Bangladesh to Pakistan.

    • Planted trees for shade along the road.

    • Built sarais (rest houses), which also served as post offices.

Revenue System

  • Classified land quality (good, average, bad) to determine land revenue.

  • Revenue ranged from 1/4th to 1/3rd of agricultural produce, payable in cash or kind.

Re-establishment of the Mughal Empire

  • Sher Shah died due to an accidental explosion in 1545.

  • Humayun regained control of India a decade later but died shortly after in 1556.

Humayun in Exile

  • Returned from Persia to recapture India in 1555 but died shortly after falling down the staircase of his library.

  • His son Akbar ascended to the throne, despite being very young.

Death of Humayun and Ascension of Akbar

  • At 13, Akbar depended on regent Bairam Khan.

  • Faced multiple threats, primarily from the Afghan King Adil Shah.

Second Battle of Panipat

  • Adil Shah’s general Samrat Hem (Hemu) briefly controlled Delhi.

  • Defeated by Akbar's forces on 5 November 1556.

Akbar’s Conflicts

  • Once secure, Akbar dismissed Bairam Khan and expanded the empire:

    • Conquered regions in central and northwestern India and the Deccan.

    • Captured Ahmednagar Fort in 1595.

Akbar’s Conflicts with the Rajputs

  • Recognized the need for Rajput support for Mughal success:

    • Formed alliances with Rajputs.

    • Encouraged intermarriages and appointed Rajput leaders to high ranks in his court.

  • By 1561, many Rajput states acknowledged Mughal authority.

Continued Resistance from Rajputs

  • Rana of Mewar, Udai Singh, resisted submission and marriage proposals from Akbar.

  • Post-Udai Singh death, his son Rana Pratap continued the struggle against the Mughals.

  • By 1576, the Mughal forces defeated the Rajputs.

Akbar’s Policies towards Rajputs and Religions

  • Aimed to transition the empire from strictly Islamic to a secular state:

    • Integrated Rajputs into Mughal administration.

    • Allowed Rajput practices and abolished the Jizya and pilgrimage tax.

Social and Cultural Contributions of Akbar

  • Established the Ibadat Khana (Hall of Worship) for debates on religious matters.

    • Issued the mazhar in 1579, enhancing his authority over Islamic law.

  • Introduced the Din-I-Ilahi, focusing on:

    • Belief in one God and recognizing the emperor as God's representative on Earth.

Mansabdari System

  • Implemented by Akbar for military organization:

    • Officials given a mansab (rank) from 10 to 7,000 based on troops they commanded.

  • Zat and Sawar:

    • Zat: Represents the number of foot soldiers.

    • Sawar: Indicates the number of horsemen and offers additional monetary allowance.

    • Mansabdars with higher rankings (up to 5,000) were reserved for royal princes.

Changes Post-Akbar's Reign

  • Successors increased rankings of Mansabdars (from 5,000 to 20,000) and financial allowances per horseman (from Rs 2 to Rs 25).

  • This led to increased power for the Mansabdars, contributing to the Mughal Empire's decline.

Social Reforms by Akbar

  • Banned Sati, except with widow consent.

  • Discouraged child marriage; set legal ages at 14 for girls and 16 for boys.

  • Abolished enslavement of women and children from conquered territories.

Cultural Achievements in Translation

  • Established a translation department, translating significant literary works into Persian.

    • Works included the Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, and the Bible, enhancing cultural insights for the upper middle class.

Architecture

  • Early Mughal architecture retained Persian influences, exemplified by Humayun's Tomb.

  • Akbar introduced Rajput styles to buildings:

    • Notable examples include Agra Fort and monuments in Fatehpur Sikri (Akbar’s capital).

Jahangir

  • Succeeded by his son Jahangir after Akbar's death in 1605.

  • Jahangir’s son, Prince Khusrau, attempted an overthrow but was captured and blinded.

  • Known for his tolerance and the establishment of the Golden Chain of Justice for public grievances.

Jahangir's Military Conquests

  • Conducted campaigns to suppress remaining Rajput kings and captured Ahmednagar Fort.

  • Lost Kandahar in Afghanistan, a key trade route.

  • European ambassadors, including British, established trading posts in India against Portuguese hostility.

Nur Jahan – The Wife of Jahangir

  • Managed state affairs during Jahangir's illness and wielded significant power.

  • Had coins minted in her name and appointed family members to positions in the court.

Shah Jahan

  • Inherited the throne in 1627 after a conflict with Nur Jahan's candidate.

  • Referred to as the Engineer King, overseeing extensive architectural projects during what is considered the Golden Age of the Mughal Empire.

Monuments and Reign of Shah Jahan

  • Major constructions include:

    • Taj Mahal

    • Red Fort

    • Jama Masjid

Illness and Overthrow

  • Shah Jahan fell ill in 1657, leading to a succession war among his sons.

  • Aurangzeb defeated his brothers, confined Shah Jahan to house arrest until his death in 1666.

Ascension of Aurangzeb

  • Ruled for 50 years, significantly expanding the empire, but his reign marked the beginning of decline due to poor decisions.

  • His rule can be divided into Early and Later reigns.

Early Reign of Aurangzeb

  • Faced numerous revolts partly due to persecution of non-Muslims through reintroducing the jizya and pilgrimage tax.

  • Executed Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur, inciting further dissent.

Major Rebellions During Early Years

  • Notable rebellions included:

    • Sikhs

    • Rajputs

    • Jats

    • Marathas

Later Reign of Aurangzeb

  • Initiated southern campaigns in 1681, leading to:

    • Conquest of Bijapur and Golconda Sultanates, ending the Bahmani Sultanate breakaway.

    • Maratha War against Shivaji and his son, continuing until Aurangzeb's death.

Effects of Aurangzeb’s Reign

  • Policies initiated during his rule led to:

  • Decline in the Mughal treasury due to prolonged military campaigns.

  • Increased corruption in North India due to the emperor’s absence.

  • Nobility rebellions and empowerment of Jats and Sikhs.

Decline of the Mughal Empire

  • Although Aurangzeb was not the last Mughal emperor, he was the last significant ruler whose actions influenced the empire's peak and subsequent decline.

  • The last Mughal emperor was Bahadur Shah Zafar II, who was captured by the British in 1857, marking the end of the Mughal Empire.