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The History of the Great Mughals, Babur to Aurangzeb | 1483 - 1707

Al Muqaddimah・110 minutes read

The Mughal Empire, spanning over three centuries, significantly impacted India through contributions to food, architecture, languages, legal codes, and the economy, with rulers like Babur, Akbar, and Shah Jahan shaping Indian history but succumbing to internal conflicts and power struggles, leading to the Empire's downfall and domination by regional powers like the Marathas.

Insights

The Mughal Empire, originating from Central Asia, left a lasting impact on India through contributions to cuisine, architecture, languages, and legal codes still in use today.
Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, faced multiple challenges before successfully invading Delhi in 1526, marking the beginning of Mughal rule in North India.
Akbar's reign focused on consolidating the Mughal Empire through alliances with Rajput clans, promoting religious tolerance, and implementing administrative reforms.
Shah Jahan's rule was characterized by extravagant displays of wealth, including the construction of the Taj Mahal, symbolizing eternal love, and the Peacock Throne, leading to the European-coined term "Mogul."
Aurangzeb's reign was marked by religious policies, including the reinstatement of the jizya tax, leading to social unrest, and the emergence of the Marathas and Sikhs as opposing forces against Mughal authority.

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Recent questions

What empire ruled parts of India for centuries?
Mughal Empire
Who was the founder of the Mughal Empire?
Babur
What was the Mansabdari system introduced by Akbar?
Land distribution system
What architectural marvel was built by Shah Jahan?
Taj Mahal
Who succeeded Aurangzeb as Emperor?
Shah Alam

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Summary

00:00

"Mughal Empire: Transforming India Through Centuries"

The Mughal Empire ruled parts of the Indian subcontinent for over three centuries, transforming India significantly.
The Mughals, originating from Central Asia, initially conquered India with steel and gunpowder but eventually assimilated into Indian culture.
Mughal cuisine, like biryanis, originated in their kitchens, influencing Indian food culture.
The Mughals contributed to India in various aspects, including food, architecture, languages, and legal codes still in use today.
The Mughal Empire was one of history's wealthiest, contributing a significant portion to the world's GDP at its peak.
The first six rulers, known as the Great Mughals, played a crucial role in shaping modern India.
Babur, a Timurid prince from Fergana, became the founder of the Mughal Empire after facing numerous challenges and victories.
Babur's conquest of Kabul and subsequent raids into India led to his successful invasion of Delhi in 1526.
Babur's victory at the Battle of Panipat against Sultan Ibrahim Lodi marked the beginning of Mughal rule in North India.
Babur's son, Humayun, faced challenges from his brothers and external threats, including the formidable Sher Khan Suri, during his reign.

15:23

"Rise of Mughal Empire in India"

Farid Khan was given the name Shir Khan in 1486 in Haryana for his talent and valor, becoming a freelance soldier by the 1510s.
Shir Khan united former soldiers after Babar defeated the Lodi Dynasty, becoming powerful enough to invade Bengal by 1537 and crown himself Sultan as Sher Shah Suri.
Humayun attacked Bengal to counter the threat posed by Sher Khan, leading to a series of conflicts with his brothers and the defeat of the Mughal Army at Kanauj in 1540.
Sher Shah's death in 1545 opened the way for Humayun to invite supporters for his invasion of India, eventually leading to the reestablishment of the Mughal Empire in 1555.
Humayun's rule, though brief, marked the beginning of the Indianization of the Mughal Empire, with reforms in land organization, currency, and infrastructure like the Grand Trunk Road.
Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar succeeded Humayun at the age of 13 in 1556, facing courtly powers vying for influence, notably his Regent Baram Khan and later Mahamanga.
Akbar's reign saw the consolidation of the Mughal Empire through alliances with Rajput clans, leading to the Indianization of the Mughals and the expansion of the Imperial Harem.
Akbar's diplomatic prowess tamed Rajasthan through alliances and marriages, while also dealing with rebellions and the siege of Chittor in 1568.
Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system for land distribution, emphasizing merit over blood ties, and led military campaigns across India, expanding the Empire and annexing territories like Gujarat and Kashmir.
Akbar's governance included reforms in administration, military structure, and judiciary, with the establishment of separate roles like Chief Divan, Finance Minister, Commander of the Military, Royal Chamberlain, and Chief Judge, fostering a diverse and inclusive empire.

29:55

Akbar's Rule: Religious Tolerance and Decentralization

Council or panchayat handled judiciary matters, but Akbar appointed kazis who followed local traditions over Islamic law.
Akbar reserved the right to decide crucial cases and administer capital punishment to ensure acceptance of his rule.
Akbar aimed to embody the Indian ideal of sarvapon, a universal ruler, by integrating locals into his government.
Despite his claims of supreme power, Akbar's state was decentralized, with significant local autonomy.
Akbar implemented religious policies, abolishing taxes on non-Muslims, banning cow and peacock slaughter, and sponsoring Hindu temples.
Akbar engaged in religious discussions, founded a house of worship, and explored various faiths, promoting religious tolerance.
Akbar's religious movement, Din Ilahi, was influenced by diverse religious traditions and focused on monotheism.
The movement, with limited adherents, emphasized spiritual purity, non-violence, and monotheism, revolving around Akbar as a leader.
Akbar's religious views evolved, from aligning with Islam to exploring a new religion, Din Ilahi, blending aspects of various faiths.
Akbar's complex relationship with his son Salim involved power struggles, assassination attempts, and succession planning, leading to Salim's eventual ascension as Jahangir.

45:22

Power struggles and ascension in Mughal court.

Jahangir ordered the execution of Khusro for his folly and confiscated his property.
Guru Arjun Dev chose death over converting to Islam and was tortured and killed by Jahangir.
Jahangir established his court, promoting his supporters and restoring some of Jose's supporters to favor.
Jahangir married Nur Jahan, a capable and intelligent woman who became influential in court.
Nur Jahan orchestrated the marriage of her niece to Jahangir's son, Horam, who became a favorite to succeed the emperor.
Horam, later known as Shah Jahan, led successful campaigns in the Deccan and was honored with the title of Shah Jahan by Jahangir.
Shah Jahan and Nur Jahan's power struggle led to Shah Jahan's rebellion against Jahangir.
Shah Jahan was defeated twice by Jahangir's army and eventually sought a royal pardon after three years in exile.
Shah Jahan's return to the Mughal court led to the truncation of his family tree and the execution of several family members.
Shah Jahan ascended to the Mughal throne in 1628 after Jahangir's death, establishing his rule and appointing key figures in his administration.

59:35

Shah Jahan's Rise and Fall in Mughal Empire

Jahan forcibly converted Raja Jadar Singh's two sons to Islam as a political move, making them outcasts from their Rajput tribe.
Dujar Singh was captured and killed by the tribe he had previously besieged.
Shah Jahan restructured the empire in 1632, focusing on Bengal to curb piracy and slavery, establishing military garrisons and tribal leaders as mansabdas.
Shah Jahan's policies solidified the empire's periphery and brought it under his control, marking the peak of the Mughal Empire.
Shah Jahan's wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died in 1631, leading to the construction of the Taj Mahal as a symbol of eternal love, costing 5 million rupees.
The Taj Mahal's cost was almost as much as the entire city of Old Delhi, built by Shah Jahan for 6 million rupees.
Shah Jahan's extravagant displays of wealth and power, including the Peacock Throne costing 10 million rupees, led to the term "Mogul" being coined by European visitors.
Shah Jahan's sons, including Aurangzeb, rebelled against him in 1657, leading to a civil war where Aurangzeb emerged victorious.
Aurangzeb imprisoned Shah Jahan in the Agra Fort, where he lived for eight years until his death in 1666.
Aurangzeb, born on November 3, 1618, showed remarkable abilities in military and diplomacy, leading to his eventual succession as Emperor.

01:14:51

Aurangzeb's Rise to Mughal Emperor

Aurangzeb aimed to politically isolate his older brother Darashiko to prevent him from succeeding Shajahan, arranging a marriage alliance between his son and his brother Shashuja's daughter.
In 1653, Aurangzeb paused in Burhanpur on his way to govern the Deccan, where he fell in love with a Hindu slave girl named Hirabai Zenabadi, causing scandal.
Despite his religious and pious nature, Aurangzeb spent nine months with Hirabai, abandoning his royal duties, until her death a year later.
Aurangzeb, as the governor of the Deccan, worked to rectify the region's financial issues with his Finance Minister Murshid Pulihan, significantly increasing revenue.
Aurangzeb's clash with Shajahan over foreign policy led to the invasion of Golconda in 1656, motivated by the allure of wealth and the Kohinoor diamond.
Expanding further, Aurangzeb led an army into Bijapur territory, considering the sultan illegitimate and annexing the land, almost capturing the capital.
The conflict escalated as Aurangzeb withdrew from Bijapur, learning of Shajahan's illness, leading to a fierce battle for the Mughal throne among the brothers.
Aurangzeb emerged victorious in the war of succession, imprisoning Shajahan and executing Darashiko, becoming Emperor in 1659.
Despite his reputation, Aurangzeb displayed leniency post-war, marrying his daughters to his brothers' sons, maintaining peace and distributing gold among his subjects.
Aurangzeb's reign saw expansion efforts into Assam and dealing with tribal revolts in the Northwest, while facing challenges with the Rajput tribes and internal family conflicts.

01:29:43

Shivaji vs Aurangzeb: Maratha-Mughal power struggle

Aurangzeb fled to South India, unaware that it was part of his plan to conquer all of India.
The Marathi-speaking people in South India were divided into paganas, led by Deshmukhs.
Shivaji, rising from a local chieftain to a powerful leader, resisted Mughal control.
Shivaji offered military service to the Mughals, leading to a conflict with Aurangzeb.
Aurangzeb, after becoming Emperor, faced resistance from Shivaji and his Maratha Empire.
Shivaji's capture and escape led to his declaration as an independent ruler in 1674.
Aurangzeb's conquest of Bijapur and Golconda led to a full-scale war against the Marathas.
Sambhaji, Shivaji's son, faced torture and execution by Aurangzeb's forces.
Tarabai, Shivaji's wife, and later their son, Shivaji II, continued the Maratha Empire's expansion.
Aurangzeb's prolonged campaigns in the Deccan drained the Mughal Empire's resources and led to his death in 1707.

01:44:55

Aurangzeb: Justice, Law, and Controversy

Aurangzeb received daily newsletters about state affairs but was too distant to rule effectively.
He saw his role as an Emperor primarily as a dispenser of justice and tried to govern with equity.
Aurangzeb aimed to formalize the Empire's law code to distance himself from his father's centralized rule.
He issued his legal teachings called Fatawa Alamgiri based on the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence.
Aurangzeb maintained justice by reducing his son's mansab for failing to prevent robberies in his province.
Towards the end of his reign, law and order deteriorated in the Deccan, leading to the Empire's downfall.
Aurangzeb's relentless push into the Deccan was driven by fear of history repeating itself and the need for land for allies.
He implemented discriminatory policies, reinstating the jizya tax on non-Muslims to raise funds and humiliate Hindus.
Despite his crackdown on religious minorities, Aurangzeb protected Hindu temples and patronized them.
Aurangzeb's actions, while controversial, were not aimed at Islamizing India but were more politically motivated.

02:00:26

Aurangzeb's Reign: Rise and Fall

Aurangzeb's reign saw the emergence of many social identities, including the Marathas and the Sikhs, who view him negatively.
The Marathas began their struggle against Aurangzeb, while the Sikhs were militarized due to his actions.
Aurangzeb is often contrasted with his great-grandfather Akbar, with the former seen as a bigot and the latter as tolerant.
During Aurangzeb's rule, Hindus at the courts were divided in their support between him and Dara.
Aurangzeb's portrayal in popular culture often depicts him as too Muslim to be considered an Indian ruler.
After Aurangzeb's death, his three sons engaged in a war of succession for the Peacock Throne.
Prince Muazzam emerged victorious, becoming Emperor Shah Alam in 1707, but lacked the powerful support his father had.
Shah Alam's rule was marked by reliance on nobles for power distribution, unlike the previous Mughal rulers.
The succession wars continued after Shah Alam's death, leading to inexperienced princes ascending the throne.
The Mughal Empire faced further instability and decline, with rebellions, power struggles, and the rise of regional powers like the Marathas and the Nizams of Hyderabad.

02:15:31

Marathas' Rise and Fall in North India

Marathas operated as a confederation, receiving a quarter of members' revenue in exchange for protection; they extended a similar deal to the Mughals, utilizing their administrative machinery for tax collection in former Mughal territories. By 1760, the Marathas controlled North India up to Afghanistan, engaging in a significant battle at Panipat in 1761 against Ahmad Shah Durrani, leading to their defeat and subsequent control by tribes known as missiles in Punjab, while the Mughal Authority dwindled to the Red Fort walls, never regaining control in India.

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