The Mughal Empire: A Brief Overview of Its Rich Legacy (1526-1857)

The Mughal Empire

A Brief Overview of Mughal Empire’s Rich Legacy (1526-1857)

The Mughal Empire, an Islamic Turco-Mongol empire, ruled a large part of the Indian subcontinent for over three centuries, leaving a significant mark on its culture, architecture, and administration. Founded by Babur in 1526, the empire formally ended in 1857 after the Indian Mutiny.

Here’s a brief look at the key rulers and important events:

1. Babur (Reign: 1526 – 1530)

• 1526: First Battle of Panipat: Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last Sultan of Delhi. This victory marked the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India.
• 1527: Battle of Khanwa: Babur defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar and a confederacy of Rajput chiefs, consolidating Mughal power in northern India.
• 1528: Battle of Chanderi: Babur captured the Chanderi fort from Medini Rai, further strengthening his position.
• 1529: Battle of Ghagra: Babur defeated the Afghan chiefs under Mahmud Lodi, securing Mughal control over Bihar.
• Introduction of Gunpowder: Babur’s military success was partly due to his effective use of gunpowder firearms and artillery.

2. Humayun (Reign: 1530 – 1540 & 1555 – 1556)

• Challenges and Exile: Humayun faced numerous challenges, most notably from Sher Shah Suri, an Afghan leader.
• 1539: Battle of Chausa & 1540: Battle of Kannauj (Bilgram): Humayun was decisively defeated by Sher Shah Suri in these battles, forcing him into exile in Persia for nearly 15 years.
• 1555: Recapture of Delhi: With the help of the Persian Safavid dynasty, Humayun defeated Sikandar Suri (Sher Shah’s successor) and regained control of Delhi and Agra.
• 1556: Death: Humayun died shortly after his restoration from a fall from the stairs of his library.

3. Akbar (Reign: 1556 – 1605)

• 1556: Second Battle of Panipat: At the age of 13, Akbar, with his regent Bairam Khan, defeated Hemu, a Hindu general who had captured Delhi, securing the Mughal throne.
• Expansion and Consolidation: Akbar significantly expanded the Mughal Empire through military conquests and diplomatic alliances, including matrimonial alliances with Rajputana.
• Administrative Reforms: He introduced key administrative reforms, including the Mansabdari system (a military and administrative ranking system) and the Dahsala system (land revenue system).
• Religious Tolerance: Known for his policy of Sulh-i-Kul (peace with all), Akbar promoted religious tolerance.
  • 1563: Abolished the pilgrimage tax on non-Muslims.
  • 1564: Abolished the Jaziya tax (a poll tax on non-Muslims).
  • 1575: Ibadat Khana (House of Worship): Established at Fatehpur Sikri for religious discussions among scholars of different faiths.
  • 1582: Din-i-Illahi (Divine Faith): Promulgated a syncretic religious movement, though it did not gain widespread acceptance.
• Patronage of Art and Culture: Akbar was a great patron of art, architecture, and literature. He commissioned the construction of Fatehpur Sikri.

4. Jahangir (Reign: 1605 – 1627)

• Continuation of Policies: Jahangir largely continued his father’s administrative and religious policies.
• Influence of Nur Jahan: His wife, Nur Jahan, wielded considerable political influence during his reign.
• Suppression of Rebellions: Faced and suppressed a revolt by his eldest son, Khusrau Mirza.
• Focus on Art and Architecture: Jahangir was a connoisseur of art and patronized painting, which reached its zenith under his rule. He also laid out several famous gardens.
• Execution of Guru Arjan Dev (1606): The fifth Sikh Guru was executed during his reign, leading to strained relations with the Sikhs.

5. Shah Jahan (Reign: 1628 – 1658)

• Golden Age of Mughal Architecture: Shah Jahan’s reign is renowned for its architectural achievements.
  • Taj Mahal: Built in Agra as a mausoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
  • Red Fort (Lal Qila) and Jama Masjid in Delhi: Other iconic structures commissioned by him.
• Military Campaigns: Undertook campaigns in the Deccan, against the Portuguese, and in Central Asia (Balkh and Badakhshan), though with mixed success.
• Famine (1630-32): A severe famine affected the Deccan and Gujarat regions during his reign.
• War of Succession: The later years of his reign were marred by a bitter war of succession among his sons, in which Aurangzeb emerged victorious. Shah Jahan was imprisoned by Aurangzeb in the Agra Fort until his death.

6. Aurangzeb (Reign: 1658 – 1707)

• Expansion of the Empire: Aurangzeb expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest territorial extent, particularly in the Deccan.
• Religious Policies: Reversed Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance.
  • 1679: Re-imposition of Jaziya: This alienated many non-Muslims.
  • Destruction of Hindu temples.
• Conflicts and Rebellions: His reign was marked by numerous rebellions, including those by the Jats, Satnamis, Sikhs (leading to the execution of the ninth Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur, in 1675), and significantly, the Marathas under Shivaji and his successors.
• Deccan Wars: Spent the latter part of his reign in the Deccan, engaged in long and costly wars against the Marathas and the Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur and Golconda, which he annexed in 1686 and 1687 respectively). These wars strained the empire’s resources.

Decline of the Mughal Empire (Post-1707)

• Aurangzeb’s Death (1707): Often considered the beginning of the empire’s decline.
• Weak Successors: A series of weak and incompetent rulers followed Aurangzeb.
• Wars of Succession: Frequent wars of succession destabilized the empire.
• Rise of Regional Powers: Provincial governors became increasingly independent, and regional powers like the Marathas, Sikhs, and Rajputs asserted their strength.
• Foreign Invasions:
  • 1739: Invasion of Nader Shah (Persia): He sacked Delhi, plundering immense wealth, including the Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which significantly weakened the empire.
  • Invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durrani Empire of Afghanistan): Further destabilized the northern regions.
• Rise of the British East India Company: The British gradually increased their political and military influence, culminating in their control over large parts of India.
• 1857: Indian Mutiny (First War of Independence): The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II, was declared the leader of the uprising. After its suppression, he was exiled to Rangoon (Yangon) by the British, formally ending the Mughal Empire.

The Mughal era significantly influenced India’s art, culture, cuisine, and legal and administrative systems, and its legacy continues to be felt today.