Module 16 Lesson 1: The Mughal Empire in India

Module 16 Lesson 1: The Mughal Empire in India

by Wes Hopkins

​Early History of the Mughals

• ​Mughals, or Mongols, invade northwestern India.

• ​Muslims and Hindus fight for almost 300 years

• ​In 1000, loose empire of Turkish warlords - Delhi Sultanate - forms

Delhi Sultanate

• ​Sultans rule from Delhi between 13th and 16th centuries

• ​Timur the Lame destroys Delhi in 1398

​Early History of the Mughals

Barbur Founds an Empire

• ​Babur becomes king of small land in Central Asia at 11

• ​Is dethroned and driven south into India

• ​Army conquers much of northern India, forming Mughal Empire

• ​Son Humayun loses most of the territory Babur conquered

• ​Babur's grandson succeeds Humayan

Open Ended

What might have happened to the Mughal Empire if Babur had not been such a brilliant general?

Akbar's Golden Age

• Akbar - "Greatest One" - rules India from 1556 to 1605

• A Military Conqueror

• ​Akbar uses cannons; names native Indians as officers

• A Liberal Ruler

• ​Akbar allows religious freedom and abolishes ax on non-Muslims

• ​Akbar allows people a chance to serve in high government office

• ​Hindu finance minister develops better ta plan; income grows

• ​Akbar gives land to his officials, then reclaims it when they die

​

Open Ended

1. During which time period was the most territory added to the Mughal empire? 

2. What landform might have prevented the empire from expanding farther east? 

​Akbar's Golden Age

Blended Cultures

• ​Many cultures blend, mixing art, education, politics, and language

• ​New languages like Hindi and Urdu emerge ​

• The Arts and Literature

• ​Book illustrations, called miniatures, flourish

• Hindu literature reemerges during Akbar's rule

• Architecture

• ​New architectural style named Akbar develops

Open Ended

How was Akbar able to build such an immense empire? 

​Akbar's Successors

Jahangir and Nur Jahan

• Akbar’s son, Jahangir, allows wife Nur Jahan to control government

• ​Nur Jahan appoints her father prime minister

• ​Nur Jahan favors son Khusrau over other sons

• ​Khusrau rebels, supported by Sikhs, nonviolent religious group

• ​Sikhs become targets of Mughal hatred

Akbar's Successors

​Shah Jahan

• Shah Jahan—Jahangir’s son and successor, marries Persian princess

• Assassinates all competitors for throne

• His wife dies while giving birth to her 14th child in 1631

• Taj Mahal—huge marble tomb Shah Jahan builds for his wife

• Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world

​Akbar's Successors

​The People Suffer

• ​people suffer paying for wars and monuments

• ​Shah Jahan's third son - Aurangzeb - imprisons father and takes over​

  Aurangzeb’s Reign 

• Rules between 1658 and 1707; expands empire to its largest

  Strictly enforces Islamic law and attempts to get rid of Hindus

  Hindus rebel and Sikhs become militant

  Levies oppressive taxes on Hindus, causing more rebellion

  In the southwest, Marathas—a Hindu community—founded their own state

  -Their greatest leader was Shivaji—influential warrior king

Open Ended

How did Aurangzeb's personal qualities and political policies affect the Mughal Empire? 

​The Empire’s Decline and Decay

•Over 2 million people die of famine while Aurangzeb wages war

•Emperor becomes a figurehead; empire breaks into separate states

•Meanwhile, traders arrive from England, Holland, France, Portugal

•European traders gain key ports

Open Ended

What was the effect of the growth of the local lords' power?