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The Great NCERT Series: History Class 7 | Lesson 4 - The Mughals | UPSC | StudyIQ IAS

StudyIQ IAS・46 minutes read

NCERT Series on YouTube covers crucial historical lessons, emphasizing the Mughals' dynasty tracing back to Genghis Khan and Timur, with Babar establishing the Mughal Empire in 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodi. The Mughals' administration involved unique traditions of succession, revenue collection through Jagirdars, and strategic battles to maintain influence, shaping India's history significantly.

Insights

  • NCERT Series is a foundational resource for UPSC and government exams, covering subjects like General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Maths, Reasoning, and English.
  • The Mughals, a dynasty linked to Genghis Khan and Timur, had unique succession traditions, maintained friendly relations with defeated rulers, and employed a complex administration system involving Mansab Dars, Jagirdars, and revenue collection.
  • Mughal history, from Babar's establishment of the empire to Aurangzeb's reign, encompassed military conquests, succession struggles, revenue systems like Jabt, and significant figures like Abul Fazal and Noor Jahan, highlighting a rich tapestry of political and economic developments in medieval India.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of the NCERT series?

    The NCERT series is crucial for UPSC, government exams, and general knowledge syllabus. It serves as the base for various exams, including General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Maths, Reasoning, and English. UPSC aspirants are advised to start their preparation with NCERT from 6th to 12th class. The series on YouTube by Amit Kilhor covers NCERT from various classes, providing a comprehensive foundation for exam preparation.

  • Who were the Mughals and their lineage?

    The Mughals were a dynasty tracing back to Genghis Khan and Timur. Genghis Khan, known as Changez in Hindi, had a significant lineage from both his mother's and father's sides, connecting him to rulers like Timur and Genghis Khan himself. The Mughals, descendants of Genghis Khan, were also linked to Timur, with Mughal emperors often celebrating their connection to Timur through pictorial representations. Babar, the founder of the Mughal Empire in 1526, traced their lineage to Genghis Khan and Timur.

  • What were the key military campaigns of the Mughals?

    The Mughals had important military campaigns under the first six Mughal kings. Babar's victory over Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 established the Mughal Empire, with subsequent battles like the one against Rana Sanga at Khan being crucial. Akbar's reign saw military campaigns in Gujarat, Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, and against the Sisodia rulers, Sikhs, Ahoms, and Ahmednagar. Aurangzeb's campaigns included victories against the Yusufzai, the Sikhs, and the Rathore Rajputs, showcasing the military prowess of the Mughal Empire.

  • How did the Mughals manage their administration?

    The Mughal administration involved Mansab Dars, Jagirdars, and revenue collection through seized. Mansabdars received Jagirs as revenue assignments, with most not residing in or administering their Jagirs, but collecting revenue. Todar Mal, Akbar's Revenue Minister, carefully surveyed crop yields, prices, and areas to fix taxes on crops, dividing provinces into revenue circles and establishing the zbt revenue system. The Mughal administration was meticulously managed to ensure revenue collection and stability within the empire.

  • What was the economic impact of the Mughal Empire?

    During Shah Jahan's reign, the economic and commercial prosperity of the Mughal Empire led to India being the 24th in the world's GDP, showcasing immense wealth and income inequality. The disparity in wealth distribution among Mansabdars during Shah Jahan's time led to only a small percentage receiving a significant portion of the empire's revenue, impacting artisans and the economy. The powerful Mughal elite, including landlords and Mansabdars, became so influential that regions like Awadh and Hyderabad became independent kingdoms by the 18th century, highlighting the economic and political ramifications of the Mughal Empire.

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Summary

00:00

"NCERT Series: Essential for UPSC Preparation"

  • NCERT Series is crucial for UPSC, government exams, and general knowledge syllabus.
  • NCERT serves as the base for various exams, including General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Maths, Reasoning, and English.
  • UPSC aspirants are advised to start their preparation with NCERT from 6th to 12th class.
  • The NCERT series on YouTube by Amit Kilhor covers NCERT from various classes.
  • The series covers history lessons, with a focus on Mughals in class seven.
  • The Mughals were a dynasty tracing back to Genghis Khan and Timur.
  • The book discusses important military campaigns of the first six Mughal kings.
  • Mughals had a unique tradition of succession, not following primogeniture.
  • Mughal rulers maintained songs to establish friendly relations with defeated kings.
  • The administration of the Mughals involved Mansab Dars, Jagirdars, and revenue collection through seized.

14:49

Legacy of Genghis Khan in Mughal Empire

  • Genghis Khan, known as Changez in Hindi, had a significant lineage from both his mother's and father's sides, connecting him to rulers like Timur and Genghis Khan himself.
  • The vast territories controlled by Genghis Khan's descendants included China, Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and the Indian subcontinent.
  • The Mughals, descendants of Genghis Khan, were also linked to Timur, with Mughal emperors often celebrating their connection to Timur through pictorial representations.
  • The Mughals, a prominent medieval Indian dynasty, traced their lineage to Genghis Khan and Timur, with Babar being the founder of the Mughal Empire in 1526.
  • Babar's victory over Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 established the Mughal Empire, with subsequent battles like the one against Rana Sanga at Khan being crucial.
  • Humayun, Babar's son, faced defeats against Sher Shah Suri, leading to a temporary end of the Mughal Empire until his eventual recapture of Delhi in 1555.
  • Akbar, Babar's grandson, became emperor at 13, consolidating his rule by gaining independence from his regent Bahram Khan and launching military campaigns against various opponents.
  • Akbar's reign saw military campaigns in Gujarat, Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, and against the Sisodia rulers, Sikhs, Ahoms, and Ahmednagar, with his son Jahangir rebelling towards the end of his rule.
  • Shah Jahan, Akbar's grandson, rebelled against Jahangir, leading to conflicts within the Mughal family, with Aurangzeb emerging victorious in the succession struggle.
  • Aurangzeb's campaigns included victories against the Yusufzai, the Sikhs, and the Rathore Rajputs, culminating in his imprisonment of Shah Jahan and the defeat of his brothers, including Dara Shikoh.

29:33

Mughal Empire: Wars, Rebellions, and Administration

  • Marwar led a rebellious campaign against the Maratha chief Chan Shivaji, initially successful but insulted by Aurangzeb, Shivaji escaped from Agra, declared independence, and resumed his campaign against the Mughals.
  • Prince Akbar, son of Aurangzeb, rebelled against his father, receiving support from Marathas and the Deccan Sultanate, ultimately failing and fleeing to Iran.
  • Aurangzeb personally managed campaigns in the Deccan against the Marathas, starting guerrilla warfare and facing rebel raiders.
  • Mughals focused on the book, not the primogeniture rule, leading to succession wars and revolts among sons.
  • Mughal relations with other rulers involved strategic battles and establishing coalitions to maintain influence.
  • Mughals balanced defeating opponents without humiliating them, allowing them to maintain influence over various kings and chieftains.
  • Mughal administration included Mansab Dars and Jagirs, recruiting individuals from various regions and assigning ranks and responsibilities based on numerical values.
  • Mansabdar received Jagirs as revenue assignments, with most not residing in or administering their Jagirs, but collecting revenue.
  • During Aurangzeb's reign, the revenue collected was less than the salaries of Mansabdars, leading to shortages of Jagirs and increased extraction of revenue by Jagirdars.
  • Todar Mal, Akbar's Revenue Minister, carefully surveyed crop yields, prices, and areas to fix taxes on crops, dividing provinces into revenue circles and establishing the zbt revenue system.

43:59

Mughal Empire: Revenue, Power, and Influence

  • Akbar's revenue system was meticulously managed by Todarmal from 1570 to 1580, analyzing cultivation areas, crop prices, and establishing taxes based on this data, known as Jabt.
  • The revenue system, Jaibta, was only successful where records were maintained carefully, unlike in areas like Gujarat and Bengal where it was not implemented.
  • Landlords of the same caste often rebelled against the Mughal authority due to exploitation, challenging the stability of the empire.
  • Abul Fazal wrote the three-volume book "Akbar Nama," detailing Akbar's reign, administration, and statistical details about crops, prices, and administration during Akbar's time.
  • Noor Jahan's influence during Jahangir's reign was significant, with coins bearing her name and titles, showcasing her loyalty and power.
  • The Sulh Kul policy of religious tolerance under Akbar allowed for coexistence of different religions, promoting universal peace and reconciliation.
  • During Shah Jahan's reign, the economic and commercial prosperity of the Mughal Empire led to India being the 24th in the world's GDP, showcasing immense wealth and income inequality.
  • The disparity in wealth distribution among Mansabdars during Shah Jahan's time led to only a small percentage receiving a significant portion of the empire's revenue, impacting artisans and the economy.
  • The powerful Mughal elite, including landlords and Mansabdars, became so influential that regions like Awadh and Hyderabad became independent kingdoms by the 18th century.
  • The Mughal military campaigns of Babar, his conquests, consolidation of rule, and the creation of the Mansabdar system were crucial aspects of Mughal history.
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