Mughal Empire
Indian History · मुगल साम्राज्य
📋Quick Overview
The Mughal Empire (1526–1857) was one of the largest and most powerful empires in Indian history. Founded by Babur after the First Battle of Panipat (1526), it reached its peak under Akbar and Aurangzeb. The Mughals built iconic monuments like Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri. This is among the TOP 3 most asked topics in every government exam.
📖Mughal Emperors — Complete List
| Emperor | Reign | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Babur | 1526–1530 | Founded Mughal dynasty. Won 1st Battle of Panipat (1526) vs Ibrahim Lodi. Introduced gunpowder warfare. Wrote autobiography 'Tuzuk-i-Baburi' (Baburnama) in Turkish. |
| Humayun | 1530–1540, 1555–1556 | Lost empire to Sher Shah Suri. Regained in 1555. Died falling from stairs of his library (Dinpanah). Sister: Gulbadan Begum wrote 'Humayunnama'. |
| Akbar | 1556–1605 | GREATEST Mughal. Won 2nd Battle of Panipat (1556) vs Hemu. Founded Din-i-Ilahi, Ibadat Khana (Fatehpur Sikri). Abolished Jaziya. Navratnas in court. Birbal, Tansen, Todar Mal. Revenue system: Zabt/Dahsala. |
| Jahangir | 1605–1627 | Known for justice (Chain of Justice). Married Nur Jahan (most powerful queen). Patronized painting. Wrote 'Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri'. Captain Hawkins & Sir Thomas Roe visited. |
| Shah Jahan | 1628–1658 | Built TAJ MAHAL (for wife Mumtaz), Red Fort, Jama Masjid (Delhi). Called 'Engineer King'. Peacock Throne (Takht-i-Taus). Golden Age of Mughal architecture. |
| Aurangzeb | 1658–1707 | Last great Mughal. Most controversial. Reimposed Jaziya. Banned music. Killed brother Dara Shikoh. Imprisoned father Shah Jahan in Agra Fort. Largest Mughal empire by area. Called 'Zinda Pir' (living saint). Deccan wars weakened empire. |
| Bahadur Shah Zafar | 1837–1857 | LAST Mughal emperor. Nominal leader of 1857 revolt. Exiled to Rangoon (Myanmar) by British. Died 1862. |
📝Important Battles
| Battle | Year | Between | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Battle of Panipat | 1526 | Babur vs Ibrahim Lodi | Babur won. Mughal Empire founded. First use of gunpowder in India. |
| Battle of Khanwa | 1527 | Babur vs Rana Sanga | Babur won. Took title 'Ghazi'. |
| Battle of Chausa | 1539 | Sher Shah vs Humayun | Sher Shah won. Humayun lost throne. |
| 2nd Battle of Panipat | 1556 | Akbar (Bairam Khan) vs Hemu | Akbar won at age 13. Hemu killed. |
| Battle of Haldighati | 1576 | Akbar vs Rana Pratap | Akbar's general Man Singh led. Rana Pratap lost but never surrendered. |
| 3rd Battle of Panipat | 1761 | Ahmad Shah Abdali vs Marathas | Marathas lost. End of Maratha dream of ruling India. |
📝Akbar — Most Asked Details
- •Founded Din-i-Ilahi (Divine Faith, 1582) — a new religion combining all faiths. Only Birbal accepted it from Hindus.
- •Built Fatehpur Sikri (near Agra) — his capital for 14 years. Buland Darwaza (tallest gateway).
- •Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri — hall for religious discussions with scholars of all faiths.
- •Abolished Jaziya tax (tax on non-Muslims). Reimposed by Aurangzeb later.
- •Navratnas (9 Gems): Birbal, Tansen, Todar Mal, Abul Fazl, Faizi, Man Singh, Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan, Fakir Aziao-Din, Mulla Do-Piyaza
- •Revenue system: Zabt/Dahsala system by Todar Mal — land measured and taxed based on average of 10 years.
- •Akbarnama written by Abul Fazl. Ain-i-Akbari (part of Akbarnama) = administrative manual.
📖Mughal Monuments — Who Built What
| Monument | Built By | Location | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humayun's Tomb | Humayun's wife Haji Begum | Delhi | First Mughal garden tomb. Inspired Taj Mahal. |
| Fatehpur Sikri | Akbar | Near Agra | Capital for 14 years. Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Ibadat Khana. |
| Taj Mahal | Shah Jahan | Agra | For wife Mumtaz Mahal. Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahori. 22 years to build. UNESCO site. |
| Red Fort (Lal Qila) | Shah Jahan | Delhi | PM hoists flag on Independence Day. UNESCO site. |
| Jama Masjid | Shah Jahan | Delhi | India's largest mosque. |
| Bibi Ka Maqbara | Aurangzeb's son | Aurangabad | Called 'Poor man's Taj Mahal'. Copy of Taj Mahal. |
📖Sher Shah Suri — Important
⭐
Sher Shah Suri (1540–1545) defeated Humayun and ruled for 5 years. Though short, his reforms were revolutionary and copied by Akbar later.
- •Built Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) — Calcutta to Peshawar (~2500 km). Still exists today!
- •Introduced Rupiya (silver coin) — basis of modern 'Rupee'
- •Built Sarais (rest houses) for travelers on highways
- •Efficient land revenue system — measured land, fixed taxes
- •Tomb at Sasaram (Bihar) — built in an artificial lake