Mughal Period

Mughal Period

1. Establishment of Mughal Period and First Battle of Panipat

• First Battle of Panipat (1526):
  • Fought between Babur (Mughal) and Ibrahim Lodi (Delhi Sultanate).
  • Outcome: Babur’s victory established Mughal rule in India.
  • Significance: Marked the beginning of Mughal Empire in India.
  • Key Factors for Babur’s Victory:
    • Use of cannon and gunpowder.
    • Superior tactics and morale.
    • Support from Safavid Empire and Kabul.

2. Rulers - Babur and Humayun

Babur (1526–1530)

• Founder of Mughal Empire.
• Origin: Uzbekistan, descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan.
• Key Achievements:
  • Conquered Delhi and Agra.
  • Wrote Baburnama (autobiography).
• Death: Died in 1530, succeeded by Humayun.

Humayun (1530–1540)

• Challenges:
  • Lost Delhi to Sher Shah Suri in 1540.
  • Exiled to Samarqand.
• Re-establishment:
  • Recovered Delhi in 1555 with help from Persian Safavids.
  • Died in 1556, succeeded by Akbar.

3. Rise of Sher Shah Suri - Battles of Bilgram and Kannauj, Establishment of Suri Empire

• Sher Shah Suri:
  • A Afghan ruler who rose to power after Humayun’s defeat.
• Battles:
  • Battle of Bilgram (1529): Sher Shah defeated Humayun.
  • Battle of Kannauj (1540): Sher Shah defeated Humayun.
• Establishment of Suri Empire:
  • Capital: Delhi and Sasaram.
  • Reforms: Land Revenue System, Roads, Coins.
  • Died in 1545, succeeded by ** Jalaluddin Firoz Shah**.

4. Suri Empire - Economy, Society, Polity

5. Re-establishment of Mughal Empire and Second Battle of Panipat

• Second Battle of Panipat (1556):
  • Fought between Akbar (Mughal) and Hemu (Suri).
  • Outcome: Akbar’s victory re-established Mughal rule.
  • Significance: Marked the end of Suri Empire and re-establishment of Mughal rule.
• Key Factors:
  • Akbar’s strategic planning and military strength.
  • Hemu’s ambitions and lack of support.

6. Rulers - Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan, Aurangzeb

Akbar (1556–1605)

• Key Policies:
  • Din-i-Ilahi (religion of divine).
  • Land Revenue System (Zabti System).
  • Mansabdari System.
• Achievements:
  • Consolidated Mughal rule.
  • Promoted religious tolerance.
  • Built Fatehpur Sikri.
• Death: 1605, succeeded by Jahangir.

Jahangir (1605–1627)

• Key Policies:
  • Continued religious tolerance.
  • Jagirdari System.
  • Encouraged art and culture.
• Death: 1627, succeeded by Shahjahan.

Shahjahan (1628–1658)

• Key Policies:
  • Built Taj Mahal.
  • Expanded Mughal architecture.
  • Continued centralized administration.
• Death: 1658, succeeded by Aurangzeb.

Aurangzeb (1658–1707)

• Key Policies:
  • Strict Islamic laws.
  • Jizya tax on non-Muslims.
  • Punishment of non-Muslims.
• Achievements:
  • Expanded Mughal Empire to Gujarat and Deccan.
  • Built Badshahi Mosque.
• Death: 1707, succeeded by Muhammad Azam.

7. Mansabdari and Jagirdari System

Mansabdari System

• Definition: Military and administrative system.
• Key Features:
  • Rank (Mansab) determined military strength.
  • Zat and Sawar ranks.
  • Mansabdars were paid in land revenue.
• Purpose: To maintain centralized control and military strength.

Jagirdari System

• Definition: Land grant system.
• Key Features:
  • Jagirdars received land in lieu of salary.
  • Revenue from land was used for military and administrative expenses.
  • Dual system of Mansabdar and Jagirdar.
• Purpose: To ensure loyalty and efficiency in administration.

8. Society and Economy under Mughal Period

Society

• Social Structure:
  • Zamindars, Mansabdars, Jagirdars, Peasants, Artisans, Clergy.
• Cultural Contributions:
  • Persian language and literature.
  • Architecture (e.g., Taj Mahal).
  • Art and music.

Economy

• Key Features:
  • Land Revenue System (Zabti System).
  • Trade and commerce expanded.
  • Coinage standardized.
  • Urbanization and market towns.
• Important Taxes:
  • Chauth, Sardeshmukhi, Jizya, Kharaj.

9. Later Mughals

• Key Rulers:
  • Muhammad Shah (1719–1748): Decline of Mughal power.
  • Ahmad Shah Durrani (1748–1754): Afghan invasions.
  • Shah Alam II (1754–1806): Weak central authority.
• Factors for Decline:
  • Internal conflicts.
  • Lack of centralized control.
  • External invasions (e.g., Ahmad Shah Durrani).
  • Economic decline.

10. Books and Authors under Mughal Period

Important Authors:

• Abu’l-Fazl: Chronicler of Akbar’s reign.
• Gulbadan Begum: Female historian.
• Mirza Haider Dihli: Illustrator of Mughal history.