The Mughal Empire was founded by zahir-ud-Din Muhammad in 1526 (also known as Bābur; 1483–1530). He was a descendant of Genghis Khan (c. 1162–1227) and Timor (1336–1504). His military conquests at the battle at Panipat and the capturing of Delhi assured the beginning of his rule over India. He ruled for four years before he died and passed the throne on to his son Humāyūn (1508–1556). Within the next decade he was defeated by the Afghan emperor Sher Shah at the battles of Chausa and Kanauj. He was forced out of rule. He then fled to Persia, then another 15 years later he came back to the empire by capturing Delhi. He died within that year he came back and the new emperor became his son, Akbar.
Akbar took the throne at only age 14, despite this the empire and Indian culture flourished under his reign. He spread the empire’s control through Pakistan, Afghanistan, central, western, and northern India. He is known for his religious tolerance, for example he abolished a tax on all non-Muslims and welcomed Hindus as equals in government. He also takes responsibility for instituting the mansabdari system, a group of people in the government that make sure taxes were instituted fairly, and that the economy was properly administrated.
When Akbar died his son Jahāngīr (1569–1627) took the throne. He tried to continue most of his father’s policies. Growing tensions with rebellious Sikhs and Sikh groups led to Jahangir soon feeling that the Sikhs were his enemy. He decided to capture and execute the leader of the Sikhs, Arjun (1563–1606). To commemorate this he urged Persian architects to build huge palaces, and gardens. He also started the development of the official language of the empire, Urdu which has Hindu, Persian, and Arabic influences.
Shāh Jahān (1592–1666), Jahāngīr’s son who took the throne after him was also a patron of architecture and other arts. He commissioned the building of the Taj Mahal, as a tomb for one of his dead wives. He also was responsible for the commission of his famed throne which was studded with pearls, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. He later moved the capital to Delhi, and built the red fort, a beautiful mosque and palace. This extravagant spending and other military conquest almost bankrupted the empire. And on top of that the Sikhs started to rebel again, and threatened to take the throne. To solidify his rule, he killed his brother so he wouldn't be able to become emperor. But his four sons also wanted to become, emperor. When he fell ill, his sons started a four way civil war for the chance to be emperor. One of his sons, Ālamgīr (1618–1707) came out victorious and declared rule.
Ālamgīr was a devout Muslim who instituted Sharia law. The Mughal Empire became officially Muslim and Akbar’s religious tolerance was no more. He even destroyed Hindu temples to build mosques. He also brought back the tax on all non-Muslims. Also Hindus were not allowed to hold office any more either. Ālamgīr invaded Hindu territories and enslaved their people. He now ruled under the largest area that the empire had control over. Other groups from the Deccan revolted like, the Sikhs again, the Jats, the Marāthās, and the Rajputs. The Marāthās cut off the Mughal’s in southern India. The British and French came in to aid the rebels. Eventually taxes, corruption, and a weak army led to the downfall of the empire at around 1750.
Akbar took the throne at only age 14, despite this the empire and Indian culture flourished under his reign. He spread the empire’s control through Pakistan, Afghanistan, central, western, and northern India. He is known for his religious tolerance, for example he abolished a tax on all non-Muslims and welcomed Hindus as equals in government. He also takes responsibility for instituting the mansabdari system, a group of people in the government that make sure taxes were instituted fairly, and that the economy was properly administrated.
When Akbar died his son Jahāngīr (1569–1627) took the throne. He tried to continue most of his father’s policies. Growing tensions with rebellious Sikhs and Sikh groups led to Jahangir soon feeling that the Sikhs were his enemy. He decided to capture and execute the leader of the Sikhs, Arjun (1563–1606). To commemorate this he urged Persian architects to build huge palaces, and gardens. He also started the development of the official language of the empire, Urdu which has Hindu, Persian, and Arabic influences.
Shāh Jahān (1592–1666), Jahāngīr’s son who took the throne after him was also a patron of architecture and other arts. He commissioned the building of the Taj Mahal, as a tomb for one of his dead wives. He also was responsible for the commission of his famed throne which was studded with pearls, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. He later moved the capital to Delhi, and built the red fort, a beautiful mosque and palace. This extravagant spending and other military conquest almost bankrupted the empire. And on top of that the Sikhs started to rebel again, and threatened to take the throne. To solidify his rule, he killed his brother so he wouldn't be able to become emperor. But his four sons also wanted to become, emperor. When he fell ill, his sons started a four way civil war for the chance to be emperor. One of his sons, Ālamgīr (1618–1707) came out victorious and declared rule.
Ālamgīr was a devout Muslim who instituted Sharia law. The Mughal Empire became officially Muslim and Akbar’s religious tolerance was no more. He even destroyed Hindu temples to build mosques. He also brought back the tax on all non-Muslims. Also Hindus were not allowed to hold office any more either. Ālamgīr invaded Hindu territories and enslaved their people. He now ruled under the largest area that the empire had control over. Other groups from the Deccan revolted like, the Sikhs again, the Jats, the Marāthās, and the Rajputs. The Marāthās cut off the Mughal’s in southern India. The British and French came in to aid the rebels. Eventually taxes, corruption, and a weak army led to the downfall of the empire at around 1750.
by: Philip Harder