The Mughal Dynasty
The Mughals were originally Turks. They belonged to the Chaghtai branch of the Turkish race.- Period of the Mughal empire is known as Second Classical Age. First Classical Age is the period Guptas.
- Mughal Empire is also known asTimurid Empire because of its relation to Amir Timur.
- Mughal Emperors are 20 in number. They ruled India from 1526 to 1857.
- Only six are considered great They are:
- Zahiruddin Muhammed Babur (1526 - 1530)
- Naziruddin Mirza Muhammed Humayun (1530 - 40 & 1555 - 1556)
- Jalaluddin Muhammed Akbar - (1556 - 1605)
- Nuruddin Muhammed Jahangir (1605 - 1627)
- Shahabuddin Muhammed Shah Jahan (1628 - 1658)
- Muhiyuddin Muhammed Aurangazeb Alamgir (1658 - 1707)
Babur (1526-1530) Facts:-
- Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, was the fifth descendant of Timur on Father's side and the fourteenth descendant ofChengizkhan on mothers side.
- Babur was born in Farghana in Turkey on 14 Feb. 1483 as the son ofUmer Sheik Mirza and Qulik Nigarkhanum.
- Babur's father Umershiek Mirza was the grand son of Amir Timur and the ruler of Farghana.
- Babur became the ruler of Samarkhand at the Age of 11.
- He captured Kabul in 1504. Then Babur attacked India 5 times for want of wealth.
- Babur's first Attack of India was in 1519. Bhera was the first place captured by Babur.
- In 1524 Daulatkhan, Ibrahim Lodhi's brother invited Babur to India.
- On 21 April 1526 Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi, the last Lodhi Sulthan in the First Battle of Panipat.
- On 16 March 1527 he defeated Rana Sangha of Mewar, in the Battle of Khanwa.
- The Rajputs in 1528 under Medini Rajof Malwa fought against Babur in theBattle of Chanderi, but were defeated.
- In 1529 the Afghans underMuhammed Lodhi fought against Babur in the Battle of Ghaghra but were defeated.
- In 1530 December 26, Babur died and was cremated at Kabul.
- Babur was the first to use Artillery in India.
- His memoirs or autobiography 'Tuzuk-i-Baburi or Baburnamah was written in Turkish language, Babur's mothertongue. Babur said 'I dont like India and Indians'.
- Babur was the first Mughal ruler to keep in hand the Kohinur Diamond.
- Babur was a contemporary of Krishnadeva Raya of Vijaya Nagara Empire.
Humayun
- Humayun was born in 1507 in Kabul as the son of Babur and Mahim Sulthana.
- He became the Mughal Emperor on 29 December 1530 at the age of 23.
- He divided the empire among his brothers - Askari, Hindal and Kamran.
- The word 'Humayun' means 'fortunate' But Human is considered as the most unfortunate Mughal ruler.
- Human was an accomplished mathematician and astronomer.
- In 1539 by the Battle of Chausa,Humayun was defeated for the first time by Shershah Suri.
- In the next year (1540) Shershah completely defeated Humayun in thebattle of Kanauj and founded the Sur dynasty.
- After the lapse of 15 years Humayun re-captured the Empire by defeating the last Sur ruler Sikhandar Shah Suriby the battle of Sirhindh in 1555, July.
- After the restoration Humayun ruled for only six months.
- The period from 1540 to 1555 is known as the period of temporary eclipse of the Mughal.
- Humayun died by an accidental fall from the straicase of his Library 'Shermandal' at the Puranakwila in Delhi on 24 January 1556.
- The Purnakwila was constructed by Humayun but its construction was completed by Shershah.
- Humayun's biography Humayun Namah was written by Humayun's sister Gulbadan Begum.
The language used to write this biography was a mixture of Turkish and
Persian. In 1533 Humayun built the city of Dinpana (world refuge) in
Delhi.
- Humayun's tomb is situated in Delhi (first building in India having double domes)
- Humayun tomb is known as predecessor of Tajmahal, because Taj was modelled after this, also known as a dormitory of the house of Timur. Mirak Mirza Ghias is its architect.
Akbar the Great
- Father - Humayun
- Mother - Hamida Bhanu Begum
- Step mother - Magam Anaga
- Guardian - Bairam Khan
- First Guardian - Munim Khan
- Akbar was born at Amarkot in Sindh in 23 Nov. 1542.
- He came to the throne on February 14, 1556 at the age of 14 at Kalanur.
- Hemu the Hindu Prime Minister of Muhammed Adilshah of Bihar occupied Agra and accepted the title Maharaja Vikramaditya.
- Akbar killed Hemu in the Second Battle of Paniput in 1556 November 2.
- Akbar became an independent ruler at the age of 18 in 1560, after dismissing Bairamkhan.
- Later he married Bairam Khans widow Salima Begum.
- In 1561 he defeated the musician Sulthan of Malwa - Baz Bahadur.
- In 1562 Akbar married Joda Bhai, the daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amber
- In 1564, he abolished the religious tax Jaziya. Jaziya was impossed for the first time by Firozshah Tughlaq.
- In 1572 he captured Gujarat and in memory of that he built a new capital city Fathepur sikri (city of Victory) near Agra.
- The early name of Fathepur Sikri was city of Sikri.
- Buland Darwaza is the gate way of Fathepur Sikri, built by Akbar. In 1575 Akbar constructed a prayer house in Fathepur Sikri known as Ibadatkhana.
- In 1579 he issued the Infallibility Decree by which he made himself the supreme head in religious matters.
- In 1580 the first Jesuit missionaries arrived at the court of Akbar.
- In 1585 Ralph Fitch the first English man to reach India, reached Akbar's court.
- Ralph Fitch is known as pioneer English man or torch bearer Englishman.
- In 1582 Akbar founded a new religion for universal peace and monotheism known as 'Din Ilahi' means Divine Faith.
- In 1583 he started a new Calendar called Ilahi Calendar.
- In 1576 Akbar defeated Maharana Pratap of Mewar in the battle of Haldighat. Haldighat is a mountain pass in the Aravally hills in Rajasthan.
- The Portuguese introduced tobacco for the first time in India in the court of Akbar in 1604.
- Akbar was the Mughal Emperor when the English East India Company was being founded in 1600 December 31. Akbar died in 1605.
- His tomb is situated at Sikhandra near Agra.
- Akbar
was an illiterate person, but he was a patron of men of eminence. He
maintained a Scholastic Assembly in his court. They included the
following personalities.
- Abul Fazal : Akbar's court historian who wrote Akbar's biographical works Ain-i-Akbari and Akbar Namah..
- Abul Faizi : Persian poet and brother of Abul Fazal. He translated Mahabharata into Persian in name 'Razam Namah' and Bhaskaracharya's mathematical work Leelavati into Persian.
- Mian Tansen : His original name was Ram Thanu Pande. He was the court Musician of Akbar. He composed a Raga, Rajdarbari in honour of Akbar.
- Birbal : His real name was Mahesh Das. He is the court jester of Akbar.
- Raja Todarmal : RajaTodarmal was Akbar's finance or revenue minister. He formulated Akbar's revenue system Zabti and Dashala systems. Raja Todermal also translatedBhagavatapurana into Persian.
- Maharaja Mansing : Akbar's military commander.
- Badauni : a historian who translated Ramayana into Persian - Tarjuma -1-Ramayan.
- Tulasidas : Hindi poet who wroteRamacharitamanas.
- Akbar's military system was known asMansabdari system, which included Ranks from 10 - 7000
- Akbar was also responsible for the introduction Persian as the official language of Mughals.
- He divided the Mughal Empire into 12 Subahs (provinces) for the administrative conveniences.
- Akbar
was also the first ruler to organise Hajj. Pilgrimage at the government
expense. The Port Cambay in Gujarat is known as the 'Gate way to Mecca from Mughal India'.
- Akbar was an accomplished Sitar player.
- Mughal - Rajput friendly relation began during the period of Akbar
Jahangir
- Early name of Jahangir was Salim.Akbar called him Sheika Baba.
- Jahangir came to the throne in 1605.
- Jahangir was the son of Akbar and Jodabai.
- He married Mehrunnisa, an Afghan widow in 1611 Later he gave her the titles, Noor Mahal(light of the palace)Noor Jahan (light of the world) andPadusha Begum.
- In 1606 Jahangir executed fifth Sikh Guru Guru Arjun Dev, because he helped Jahangir's son Prince Khusru to rebel against him.
- In 1609, Jahangir received William Hawkins, an envoy of King James I of England, who reached India to obtain trade concession.
- In 1615 Sir Thomas Roe reached
the court of Jahangir as the first ambassador of James I of England in
the court of Jahangir. As a result of his efforts first English factory
was established at Surat in Gujarat.
- Period of Jahangir is considered as the Golden Age of Mughal Painting.Jahangir himself was a painter. Ustad Mansur and Abul Hassan were famous painters in the court of Jahangir.
- Jahangir built Shalimar and Nishant Gardens in Srinagar.
- Jahangir suspended a chain of Justice known as Zndiri Adal infront of his court.
- Anarkali was Jahangair's lover. Mughal-i-Asam directed by K. Asif is a famous film which tells the love story of Jahangir and Anarkali.
- Jahangir wrote his autobiographyTuzukh -i- Jahangiri in Persian language.
- Jahangir died in 1627 and was cremated at Shahdhara in Lahore.
Shah Jahan
- Shah Jahan was born on 5th January 1592 at Lahore.
- His mother was Jagat Gosain and his childhood name was Khurram.
- He married Arjumand Benu Begum, daughter of Asaf Khan, brother of Noor Jahan. She later came to be known as Mumtaz Mahal which means beloved of the Palace.
- Shahjahan destroyed the Portuguese settlements at Hoogly.
- Shah Jahan's period is considered as the Golden Age of Mughal Architecture and Shah Jahan is known as the Prince of Builders.
- In 1631 he started the construction ofTajmahal in
memory of his wife and completed in 1653. It isPradesh. Utad Iza a
Turkish/ Persian was its architect. British administrator Furgurson
called it 'a love in marble'. Now Sulphur Dioxide, emitted by oil
refinaries in Madhura after mixing with moisture in the atmosphere
forms Sulphuric Acid and damages the marble of Tajmahal.
- In 1638 Shah Jahan built his new capital Shah Jahanabad in Delhi and shifted the capital from Agra to there.
- In 1639 he started the construction ofRed fort in
Delhi on the model of Agrafort built by Akbar. Its construction was
completed in 1648. The Diwani- Am, Diwan-i-Khas and the Moti Masjid are
situated inside the Red fort. The Mothi Masjid in Agra was constructed
by ShahJahan.
- The INA Trial in 1945 was conducted at the Red Fort.
- The Gateway of Redfort is the Lahore Gate.
It is here at the Lahore Gate that the Prime Minister of India hoists
the National Flag and addresses the nation on the independence day.
- In 1656 Shah Jahan constructed theJuma Masjid in
Delhi. It is the biggest masjid in India. First masjid in India was
constructed at Kodungallur in Kerala (Cheraman Palli) in 644 AD by Malik
Ibn Dinar.
- Shah Jahan's period is known as the Golden Age of Mughal Empire.
- The Portuguese introduced European painting in India during the reign of Shah Jahan
- In
1658 Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangazeb and he died in
1666, after eight years. His daughter Jahan Ara was also kept in prison
along with him at the Agra fort.
- Shah Jahan's son Dhara Shukoe was a famous scholar. He translatedBhagavat Gita and Sixty Upanishadsinto Persian. He also wrote a book titled Mujm-ul-Behrain (Mingling of the Oceans) He also translated Atharva Veda into Persian.
- ShahJahan was a famous Lyricist. He wrote Lyrics in Hindi. The famousPeacock Throne was built by Shah Jahan. It was abducted from here byNadirsha in 1739 during his Indian invasion (Persian conqueror). Now it is kept at the London Tower Museum, Britain.
- French travellers Bernier andTavernier and Italian traveller Manucci visited India during ShahJahan's period.
Aurangazeb
- Aurangazeb imprisoned his father and made himself the Padushah in 1658. But his actual coronation was conducted in 1659.
- Alamgir was the name adopted by Aurangazeb when he became the Padusha.
- Aurangazeb is known as Zinda Pir' or living saint because of his simple life.
- He banned music and dance.
- He ousted all the artists from his court. At the same time he was an accomplished Veena player.
- Aurangazeb was the last great Mughal Emperor.
- In 1675 he executed 9th Sikh GuruGuru Tej Behadur because of his reluctance to accept Islam.
- Teg Behadur was executed at the Chandni Chauk.
- In 1679 Aurangzeb constructed the tomb of his only wife Rubiad Daurani at Aurangabad in Maharashtra. It is known as Bibi ka Makabara. It
is otherwise known as Mini Tajmahal as it was the blind imitation of
Tajmahal. In the same year he reimpossed Jasya upon all the non Muslims,
which was earlier abolished by Akbar.
- Aurangazeb called Shivaji a 'mountain rat' and gave him the title Raja because of his guerilla tactics.
- In 1660 he entrusted Shaisthakhan to defeat Shivaji.
- Later in 1665 the treaty of Purandarwas
signed between Maharaja Jaisingh of Amber and Shivaji Jaisingh was
deputed by Aurangazeb. The Mughal Rajput relation became worse during
- the period of Aurangazeb.
- Aurangazeb was the only Mughal Emperor who was not a drunkard.
- Aurangazeb
is considered as religiously fanatic. He was also a temple breaker. He
persecuted the Hindus and imposed prohibition against the free exercise
of Holi and Divali.
- Aurangazeb died in 1707 February 20,at Ahmednagar. Aurangazeb's tomb is situated at Daulatabad in Maharashtra.
Later Mughals
Bahadur Shah I (1707-12)
- Bahadurshah I came to the throne after the death of Aurangazeb. His real name was Muassam.
> Title, Shah-e-Bekhabar.
> Promote friendly relationship with Marathas and Rajputs
- Jahandar Shah (1712-13)
>
> He ascended the throne with the help of Zulfikar Khan (Wazir).
> Abolished Jijiya.
> A Prostitute "LAL KUAR" dominated in his court
- Farrukhsiyar (1713-19)
> He lacked the ability and knowledge to rule independently.
> His reign saw the emergence of the Sayyid Brothers (known as king maker).
> Abdulla Khan-Wazir
> Hussain Ali-Senapati
> 1717-Issued Golden Farman to east India company for free trade
> Farrukhsiyar executed Banda Bahadur ( A Sikh leader)
- Muhammad Shah (1719-48)
> Became the emperor with the help of the Saiyad Brothers
> Nadir Shah invaded India and took away Peacock throne and Kohinoor diamond.
> Title- Rangeela
> Emergence of independent state in his period
- Ahmed Shah (1748-54)
>
> Ahmed Shah Abdali (General of Nadir Shah) marched towards Delhi and the Mughals ceded Punjab and Multan.
> He worked under the guidance of Rajmata "Udam Bai"
- Alamgir (1754-59)
> Ahmed Shah occupied Delhi Later, Delhi was plundered by Marathas.
- Shah Alam II (1759-1806)
> Original NAME: Aligohar
> Panipat War: (1761)
> Buxar War (1764)
> Treaty of Allahabad (1765)
> Could not enter Delhi for 12 years.
> 1788: Gulam Kadir make him blind
- Akbar II (1806-37)
> Pensioner of East India Company.
> Gave the title "Raja" to Ram Mohan Roy
- Bahadur Shah II (1837-57)
> Nickname: Jafar
> Bahadurshah II was
declared the independent Emperor of India by the Mutineers. > He was
surrendered to LtW.S.R. Hodson at Humayun's Tomb in Delhi. In 1859 he
was deported to Rangoon in December where he expired on Nov. 7, 1862.
. The Tomb of Bahadurshah II is in Pwin Manah, the capital of Myanmar.
> Bahadurshah II was also a famous Urdu Poet.
> Bahadurshah II was also known as Bahadurshah Zafar Zafar means gifted poet
Last Mughal Emperor who was made premier during the 1857 Revolt.
> was the last Mughal emperor; 1862-death in Rangoon (Myanmar)
- Causes behind the fall of Mughal Empire
> Weak and incompetent successors
> Wars of succession
> Aurangzeb's Deccan, religious and Rajput policies
> Jagirdari crisis
> Growth of Marathas and other regional powers
> Foreign invasions of Nadir Shah (1739) and Abdali
- Important Literature of Mughal Period
> Author(Work)
> Babur (Tuzuk-i-Babari)
> Abul Fazal (Ain-i-Akbari, Akbarnamah)
> Jahangir (Tuzuk-i-Jahangir)
> Hamid (Padshahnama)
> Darashikoh (Majn-ul-Bahrain)
> Mirza Md Qasim (Alamgirnama)
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