HISTORY IN ENGLISH - MUGHAL PERIODS

Mughal period

Babur

• Thefoundation of the Mughal rule in India was laid by Babur in 1526.

• He was a descendant of Timur (from the side of his father) and Chengiz Khan (from the side of his mother).

• Babur was invited by Daulat Kahna Lodi and Alam Khan Lodi against Ibrahim Lodi

• Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the first battle of Panipat on April 21, 1526 and established Mughal dynasty.

• In 1527, he defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar at Khanwa.

• In 1528, he defeated Medini Rai of Chaneri at Chanderi.

• In 1529, he defeated Muhammad Lodhi (uncle of Ibrahim Lodhi) at Ghaghra.

• In 1530, he died at Agra. His tomb is at Lahore. The tomb of only two Mughal emperors are outside India i.e. Babur and Bahadur Shah Zafar • He was the first to use gunpowder and artillery in India.

• Two gun masters Mustafa and Ustad Ali were in his army

• He wrote his autobiography Tuzuk-i-Baburi in Turki .

• Tuzuk-i-Baburi was translated in Persian (named Baburnama) by Abdur Rahim Khan-e-khana and in English by Madan Bebridge.

• He compiled two anthologies of poems, Diwan (in Turki) and Mubaiyan (in Persian). He also wrote Risali-Usaz or letters of Babur.

Humayun (1530-40 and 1555-56)

• He was the son of Babur and ascended the throne in 1530. His succession was challenged by his brothers Kamran, Hindal and Askari along with the Afghans.

• In 1532 he established Tabl-e-adl at Agra.

• He fought two battles against Sher Shah at Chausa (1539) and at Kannauj/Bilgram (1540) and was completely defeated by him.

• He escaped to Iran where he passed 12years of his life in exile.

• After Sher Shah‘s death Humayun invaded India in 1555 and defeated his brothers the Afghans. He once again became the ruler of India.

• He died while climbing down the stairs of his library (at Din Panah) in 1556 and was buried in Delhi.

• Abul Fazal calls him Insan-e-Kamil.

• His sister, Gulbadan Begum wrote his biography Humayunama.

• He built Din Panah at Delhi as his second capital.

Suri Empire (Second Afghan Empire) 1540-55

Sher Shah: 1540-45

• He was the son of Hasan Khan, the Jagirdar of Sasaram.

• In 1539, he defeated Humayun in the battle of Chausa and assumed the title Sher Shah as emperor.

• As an emperor, he conquested Malwa (1542), Ranthambhor (1542), Raisin (1543), Rajputana annexation of Marwar (1542), Chittor (1544) & Kalinjar (1545). He died in 1545 while conquesting Kalinjar.

• Purana Quila was built during his reign

• During his brief reign of 5 years he introduced a brilliant administration, land revenue policy and several other measures to improve economic conditions of his subjects.

• He issued the coin calledRupiahand fixed standard weights and measures all over the empire.

• He also improved communications by building several highways. He built the Grand Trunk Road (G.T. Road), which runsfrom Calcutta to Peshawar. The other roads built during his reign were: Agra to Mandu Agra to Jodhpur and Chittor Lahore to Multan

• He set up cantonment in various parts of his empire and strong garrison was posted in each cantonments.

• According toAbul Fazal the empire of Sher Shah was divided into 63 sarkars or districts.

• The unit of land measurement was ―bigha‖

• He like Allauddin Khalji introduced Dagh and Chera in the army

• Zamindars were removed and the taxes were directly collected.

•He was buried in Sasaram.

Akbar

• Akbar, the eldest son of Humayun, ascended the throne under the title of Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar Badshah Ghazi at the young age of 14.

• His coronation took place at Kalanaur.

• Second Battle of Panipat (5 Nov., 1556) was fought between Hemu (the Hindu General of Muhammad Adil Shah) and Biram Khan (the regent of Akbar). Hemu was defeated, captured and slain by Bairam Khan.

• In the initial years of his rule Akbar was first under the influence of his reagent Bairam and then under her mother Maha Manga.

• The period of influence of Maham Anga on Akbar i.e. form 1560-62 is known as the period of Petticoat government.

• Akbar entered into matrimonial alliance with various Rajput kingdoms like Amber, Bikaner, Jaisalmerand Jodhpur

• Other important reforms that were undertaken by Akbar were: Age of marriage for boys and girls was increased to 16 years and 14 years respectively Sati was prohibited

• In his 24th year Akbar introduced Dashala system for the collection of land revenue by the state.

• The Mansabdari system under Akbar, divided the Mansabdars into 66 categories.This system fixed the following service conditions:

Rank and status Salary Number of sawars (horsemen) •

As a revolt against the orthodoxy andbigotry of religious priests, Akbar proclaimed a new religion, Din-i-Ilahi, in 1581. Birbal was the only Hindu who followed this new religion.  

• Din-i-Ilahi, however, did not become popular.

• Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Lahore Fort and Allahabad Fort and Humayun‘s Tomb at Delhi. Fatehpur Sikri, place near Agra-it said that Akbar had no son for a long time. Sheikh Salim Chisti, a Sufi saint blessed Akbar with a son who was named Salim/Sheikho Baba (Jahangir). In honour of Salim Chisti, AkbarShifted his court from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri.

• Tulsidas (author of Ramcharitmanas) also lived during Akbar‘s period.

• When Akbar died, he was buried at Sikandara near Agra.

• Birbal was killed in the battle with Yusufzai Tribe (1586).

• Abul Fazl was murdered by Bir Singh Bundela (1601).

• Akbar gave Mughal India one official language (Persian).

Jahangir (1605-27)

• Salim, son of Akbar, came to the throne after Akbar‘s death in 1605.

• He established Zanjir-i-Adal (i.e. Chain of Justice) at Agra Fort for the seekers of royal justice.

• In 1611, Jahangir married Mihar-un-nisa, widow of Sher Afghan, a Persian nobleman who was sent on expedition to Bengal. Later on she was given the title Nurjahan.

• Nurjahan excercised tremendous influence over the state affairs. She was made the official Padshah Begum.

• Jahangir issued coins jointly in Jurjahan‘s name and his own.

• Jahangir also married Jodha Bai of Marwar.

• In 1608, Captain William Hawkins, a representative of East India Company came to Jahangir‘s court. In 1615 Sir Thomas Roe, an ambassador of King James I of England also came to his court.He granted permission to the English to establish a trading port at Surat.

• His reign was marked by several revolts. His son Khusrau, who received patronage of 5th Sikh Guru Arjun Dev, revolted against Jahangir (1605). Arjun Dev was later sentenced to death for his blessing to the rebel prince (1606).

• During his last period, Khurram (Shanjahan), son of Jahangir, and Mahavat Khan, military general of Jahangir also revolted (Khurram: 1622-25 and Mahavat Kha : 1626-27).

• He wrote his memories Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri in Persian.

• He was buried in Lahore.

Shah Jahan

• His real name was Khurram, he was born to Jodha Bai (daughter of Raja Jagat Singh).

• Shahjahan ascended the throne in 1628 after his father‘s death.

• Three years after his accession, his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal (original name-Arzumand Bano) died in 1631. To perpetuate her memory he built the Taj Mahal at Agra in 1632-53.

• He continued applying tika (tilak) on the fore-head

• He introduced the Char-Taslim in the court

• In addition to Jahangir‘s empire, Nizam Shahi‘s dynasty of Ahmadnagar was brought under Mughal control (1633) by Shahjahan.

• Shahjahan‘s reign is described by French traveler Bernier and Tavernier and the Italian traveler Nicoli Manucci. Peter Mundi described the famine that occurred during Shahjahan‘s time.

• The Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Taj Mahal are some of the magnificent structures built during his reign.

• Shahjahan‘s failing health set off the war of succession among his four sons in 1657.

• Aurangzeb emerged the victor who crowned himself in July 1658. Shahjahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in the Agra Fort where he died in captivity in 1666. Hewas buried at Taj (Agra).

Aurangzeb

• The war of succession took place in the later stage of the Shah Jahan reign.

• His four sons Dara Shikoa, Aurangzeb, Shah Shuja and Murad were in the state of war for the throne.

• His daughters also supported one son or the other in the tussle for throne Janah Ara supported Dara. Roshan Ara supported Aurangzeb. Guhara supported Murad.

• Aurangzeb was coroneted twice, he was the only Mughal king to be coroneted twice

• Barnier was the foreign visitor who saw thepublic disgrace of Dara after he was finally deafeated in war at Deorai.

• During the first 23 years of the rule (1658-81) Aurangazeb concentrated on North India. During this period the Marathas under Shivaji rose to power and were a force to reckon with.

• Highest numbers of Hindu Mansabdars were there in the service of Mughals during the reign of Aurangzeb.

• Aurangzeb captured Guru Teg Bahadur, the 9th Guru of Sikhs in 1675 and executed him when he refused to embrace Islam.

• The 10th and last SikhGuru, Guru Gobind Singh, son of Guru Teg Bahadur, organized his followers into militant force called Khalsa to avenge the murder of his father.

• Guru Gobind Singh was, however murdered in 1708 by an Afghan in Deccan. Banda Bahadur, the militant successorof Guru Gobind Singh continued the war against Mughals.

Religious policy of Aurangzeb:

• He was called Zindapir or living saint

• Muhatasibs were appointed for regulation of moral conduct of the subjects

• He forbade singing in the court, but allowed musical instruments. He himself played Veena

• He ended Jhoraka darshan started by Akbar

• He ordered that no new Hindu temples were to be built. Old temples were allowed to be repaired

• The Viswanath temple at Kashi and the Keshav Rai temple of BirSingh Bundela at Mathura were destroyed

• In 1679 he re-imposed Jaziya tax

CLASH WITH MARATHAS

• Shivaji was the most powerful Maratha king and an arch enemy of Aurangzeb.

• When Aurangzeb could not eliminate him, he conspired with Jai Singh of Amber, a Rajput, to eliminate Shivaji in 1665.

• On the assurance given by Jai Singh, Shivaji visited Aurangzeb‘s court. Shivaji was imprisoned by Aurangzeb but he managed to escape and in 1674 proclaimed himself an independent monarch.

• Shivaji died in 1680and was succeeded by his son Sambhaji, who was executed by Aurangzeb in 1689. Sambhaji was succeeded by his brother Rajaram and after his death in 1700, his widow Tarabai carried on the movements.

Mughal administration

Mansabdari system:

• Each Mughal officer was assigned a mansab (rank), there were 66 categories of Mansabdars

• Jahangir introduced Du-Aspah-Sih-Aspah system whereby the specific noble was to maintain double the number of horsemen.

The landmark events that took place during the reignof Akbar 1562 Visited Ajmer first time 1562 Ban on forcible conversion of war-prisoners into slaves 1563 Abolition of Pilgrimage Tax 1564 Abolition of Jaziya 1571 Foundation of Fatehpur Sikri 1574 Mansabadari System introduced 1575 Ibadatkhana was built 1578 Parliament of Religions in Ibadatkhana 1579 Proclamation of ‘Mazhar’ (written by Faizi) 1580 Dahsala Bandobast introduced 1582 Din-i-Ilahi / Tauhid-i-Ilahi 1584 Ilahi Samvat i.e. Calender 1587 Ilahi Gaz i.e. Yard Mughal Literature Akbar Nama--Abul Fazl Tobaqat-i-Akbari--Khwajah Nazamuddin Ahmad Baksh Iqbalnama-i-Jahangiri—Muhammad Khan Ain-i-Akbari--Abul Fazl Padshah Namah--Abdul Hamid Lahori Shahjahan Namah--Muhammad Salih Sirr-i-Akbar--Dara Shikoh Safinat-ul-Auliya--Dara Shikoh Majma-ul-Bahrain--Dara Shikoh Raqqat-e-Alamgiri–Aurangzeb

Bahadur Shah 1 (1707-12)

Muzam succeeded Aurungzeb after latter‘s death in 1707 He acquired the title of Bahadur Shah. Though he was quite old (65) and his rule quite short there aremany significant achievements he made He reversed the narrow minded and antagonistic policies of Aurungzeb Made agreements with Rajput states

Granted sardeshmukhi tMarathas but not Chauth Released Shahuji (son of Sambhaji) from prison (who later foughtwith Tarabai) Tried to make peace with Guru Gobind Sahib by giving him a high Mansab. After Guru‘s death, Sikhs again revolted under the leadership of Banda Bahadur. This led to a prolonged war with the Sikhs. Made peace with Chhatarsal, the Bundela chief and Churaman, the Jat chief. State finances deteriorated

Jahandar Shah (1712-13)

Death of Bahadur Shah plunged the empire into a civil war A noted feature of this time was the prominence of the nobles Jahandar Shah, son of Bahadur Shah, ascended the throne in 1712 with help from Zulfikar Khan Was a weak ruler devoted only to pleasures Zulfikar Khan, his wazir, was virtually the head of the administration ZK abolished jizyah Peace with Rajputs: Jai Singh of Amber was made the Governor of Malwa. Ajit Singh of Marwar was made the Governor of Gujarat. Chauth and Sardeshmukh granted to Marathas. However, Mughals were to collect it and then hand it over to the Marathas. Continued the policy of suppression towards Banda Bahadur and Sikhs Ijarah: (revenue farming) the government began tcontract with revenue farmers and middlemen to pay the government a fixed amount of money while they were left free to collect whatever they could from the peasants Jahandhar Shah defeated in January 1713 by his nephewFarrukh Siyar at Agra

Farrukh Siyar (1713-19)

Owed his victory to Saiyid Brothers: Hussain Ali Khan Barahow and Abdullah Khan Abdullah Khan: Wazir, Hussain Ali: Mir Bakshi

FS was an incapable ruler. Saiyid brothers were the real rulers.

Muhammad Shah ‘Rangeela’ (1719-1748)

Weak-minded, frivolous and over-fond of a life of ease Neglected the affairs of the state Intrigued against his own ministers Naizam ul Mulk Qin Qulik Khan, the wazir, relinquished his office and founded the state of Hyderabad in 1724 His departure was symbolic of the flight of loyalty and virtue from the Empire‖ Heriditary nawabs arose in Bengal, Hyderabad, Awadh and Punjab Marathas conquered Malwa, Gujarat and Bundelkhand 1738: Invasion of Nadir Shah Nadir Shah‘s Invasion (1738) Attracted to India by its fabulous wealth. Continual campaigns had made Persia bankrupt Also, the Mughal empire was weak. Didn‘t meet any resistance as the defense of the north-west frontier had been neglected for years The twarmies met at Karnal on 13th Feb 1739. Mughal army was summarily defeated. MS taken prisoner Massacre in Delhi in response to the killing of some of his soldiers Plunder of about 70 crore rupees. Carried away the Peacock throne and Koh-inoor MS ceded thim all the provinces of theEmpire west of the river Indus Significance: Nadir Shah‘s invasion exposed the hidden weakness of the empire to the Maratha sardars and the foreign trading companies

Ahmed Shah Abdali

One of the generals of Nadir Shah Repeatedly invaded and plundered India right down to Delhi and Mathura between 1748 and 1761. He invaded India five times.

1761: Third battle of Panipat. Defeat of Marathas. As a result of invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah, the Mughal empire ceased to be an all-India empire. By 1761 it was reduced merely to the Kingdom of Delhi

Shah Alam II (1759)

Ahmed Bahadur (1748-54) succeeded Muhammad Shah Ahmed Bahadur was succeeded by Alamgir II (175459) 1756: Abdali plundered Mathura Alamgir II was succeeded by Shah Jahan III ShahJahan III succeeded by Shah Alam II in 1759 Shah Alam spent initial years wandering for he lived under the fear of his wazir. In 1764, he joined forces with Mir Qasim of Bengal and Shuja-ud-Daula of Awadh in declaring a war upon the British East India company. This resulted in the Battle of Buxar Pensioned at Allahabad. Returned to Delhi in 1772 under the protection of Marathas.

Decline of the Mughal Empire After 1759, Mughal empire ceased to be a military power. It continued from 1759 till 1857 only due to the powerful hold that the Mughal dynasty had on the minds of the people of India as a symbol of the political unity of the country In 1803, the British occupied Delhi From 1803 to 1857, the Mughal emperors merely served as a political front of the British.

The most important consequence of the fall of the Mughal empire was that it paved way for the British to conquer India as there was no other Indian power strong enough to unite and hold India.