Short notes on Mughal rule in India

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MUGHAL RULE IN INDIA

Babur (1526-1530 A.D)

Babur, who was driven out of his own country, was invited by Mohammed Lodi to invade India. After his failure thrice to get back Samarkand, Babur locked himself and concentrated on his invasion on India. The first Battle of Panipat in 1526 A.D. with Ibrahim Lodi led to the establishment of Mughal Rule in India. Babur ruled for only 4 years, hence he could not consolidate his gains. He was succeeded by a week son Humayun. Babur has written his biography “Baburnama”.

Baburnama


Humayun (1530-1556 A.D.)

 Fraternal factions criss- crossed with a weak character of his own Humayun could not stand for a long time when he was driven out of the country by a native Sher Shah Suri. Humayun tumbled through his life and tumbled out of it.

Humayun's tomb


 After trials and tribulations and wanderings for many years, he could stage a comeback with some of his well-wishers. In the mean time Akbar was born at Amarkot in 1542 A.D.

Suri interregnum (1540-1545)



 Sher Shah Suri, worth his name of tiger, could easily defeat the force of Humayun in many engagements. Though his rule lasted for only six years between 1539 A.D. and 1545 A.D., Sher Shah could pay much attention to the revenue administration and organize the army on scientific lines. During his time the Grand Trunk Road between Agra and Peshawar was built. As he was succeeded by weak rulers, the Suri interregnum could linger on for a few years only.

Akbar (1556-1605 A.D.)

Akbar's Darbar 
He came to power at the age of 14. Though he was illiterate, his vision of religious tolerance, revenue administration and military hierarchy had far- reaching consequences. He was adept to realize his position in a foreign land and hence he preached Hindu-Muslim Unity. He abolished Jizya tax imposed on Hindus by the Muslim rulers. He married Rajput ladies. He founded a religion, “Din-i-Ilahi”. Though the religion had a few followers and died soon after the death of Akbar, we have to take into account the broad view Akbar had in the sixteenth century.

Jahangir (1605-1627 A.D.)

 Akbar was succeeded by his son, Jahangir. Though no remarkable achievements were made by Jahangir, which the royal affairs were handled and the royalty dominating by a harem around his wife Noorjehan is worth mentioning. Religious intolerance started surfacing and bankruptcy permeated.

Jahangir with Noorjehan


Shah Jahan (1627-1658 A.D.)

 More than his conquests and administration his love for Mumtaz, art and architecture need mentioning. Because of lavish spending on art and architecture, the government coffers started drying and excessive doses of taxation year after year were the only remedy. Thus the people groaned under heavy and unbearable taxes.

Graves of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz
Taj Mahal, built of white marbles in memory of his wife Mumtaz, remains ever as a tear drop on the cheek of eternity. In the construction of buildings and monuments white marbles replaced red stones used extensively by Akbar.

Aurangzeb (1658-1707 A.D.)

 Though he is variedly branded as a heretic or a religious fanatic, Aurangzeb‘s personal character is beyond any kind of blemishes.

Darbar of Aurangzeb


 He did not touch wine. He slept for only six hours a day. Under him the Mughal Empire reached its zenith of expansion. However, it contributed collapsed. The last King of the Mughal line was Bahadur Shah- II who was exiled to Rangoon in 1857 A.D. for his participation in the sepoy Mutiny against the English and died on 7th November 1862.

CAUSES FOR THE DOWNFALL OF THE MUGHAL EMPIRE



  • The Mughal Empire had become too big and complex to be governed from a single centre.
  • Aurangzeb’s policy of Deccan occupied half of his life. His religious intolerance earned the wrath of the Hindus. His government was a personal despotism and lacked popular support.
  • The successors of Aurangzeb were not competent. They were pleasure loving and dependent on unscrupulous ministers.
  • The attack of Nadir Shah and Ahamed Shah Abdali left the Mughal Empire in shambles.
  • The internal rivalries and fratricidal wars dismembered the very fabric of administration and led to chaos.
  • The rise of Marathas was also a strong cause. 

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