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Mughal Empire: From Babur to Aurangzeb (Administration, Economy, and Culture)

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Mughal Empire (1526-1857) was one of the most powerful empires in Indian history, known for its:

UPSC Note: The Mughal period is crucial for understanding medieval Indian history, administrative systems, and the socio-cultural developments that shaped modern India.

Major Mughal Rulers

Babur (1526-1530)

  • Founded Mughal Empire after 1st Battle of Panipat (1526)
  • Defeated Ibrahim Lodi (Delhi Sultanate) and Rana Sanga (Battle of Khanwa, 1527)
  • Introduced gunpowder and cavalry tactics
  • Wrote autobiography Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama) in Chagatai Turkish
  • Laid out gardens (Charbagh style)

Humayun (1530-1540, 1555-1556)

  • Defeated by Sher Shah Suri (Battle of Chausa, 1539; Battle of Kannauj, 1540)
  • Exiled to Persia for 15 years
  • Regained throne in 1555 with Persian help
  • Died accidentally in 1556
  • His widow Hamida Banu Begum built Humayun's Tomb (first garden tomb in India)

Akbar (1556-1605)

  • Crowned at age 13; Bairam Khan as regent
  • Defeated Hemu in 2nd Battle of Panipat (1556)
  • Expanded empire through conquests (Gujarat, Bengal, Kashmir, etc.)
  • Introduced Mansabdari system and Din-i-Ilahi
  • Built Fatehpur Sikri and Buland Darwaza
  • Navratnas: Nine gems in his court including Birbal, Tansen, Todar Mal

Jahangir (1605-1627)

  • Continued policy of religious tolerance
  • Married Nur Jahan (real power behind throne)
  • Defeated Rana Amar Singh of Mewar (1615)
  • Captured Kangra fort (1620)
  • Wrote autobiography Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri
  • Painted hunting scenes and natural history
  • Executed Sikh Guru Arjan Dev (1606)

Shah Jahan (1628-1658)

  • Golden Age of Mughal architecture
  • Built Taj Mahal (for Mumtaz Mahal), Red Fort, Jama Masjid
  • Peak of Mughal cultural glory
  • Lost Kandahar to Persia (1649)
  • War of Succession among his sons (Aurangzeb won)
  • Imprisoned by Aurangzeb in Agra Fort (died 1666)

Aurangzeb (1658-1707)

  • Last great Mughal ruler
  • Reimposed Jizya tax (1679)
  • Destroyed temples (Kashi Vishwanath, Kesava Deo)
  • Annexed Bijapur (1686) and Golconda (1687)
  • Fought against Marathas for 27 years
  • Died in 1707; empire began declining rapidly

Administration

Central Administration

Official Function Significance
Wazir/Vakil Prime Minister Head of revenue department (Diwan-i-Wazarat)
Diwan Finance Minister In charge of revenue collection
Mir Bakshi Military Paymaster Head of military department
Sadr-us-Sadr Chief Qazi Head of judicial and religious department
Khan-i-Saman Lord High Steward In charge of royal household

Provincial Administration

Military Administration

Revenue Administration

Economy

Agriculture

Trade and Commerce

Industries

Culture

Architecture

Ruler Architectural Works Features
Babur Ram Bagh (Agra), mosques in Panipat, Sambhal Persian influence, charbagh gardens
Humayun Humayun's Tomb (Delhi), Dinpanah First garden tomb, Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas
Akbar Fatehpur Sikri, Buland Darwaza, Agra Fort, Tomb of Salim Chishti Indo-Islamic style, red sandstone, Hindu motifs
Jahangir Shalimar Bagh (Kashmir), Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula Use of white marble, pietra dura
Shah Jahan Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid Marble domes, minarets, symmetry, pietra dura
Aurangzeb Badshahi Mosque (Lahore), Bibi ka Maqbara Less ornate, decline in quality

Painting

Literature

Language Works/Authors Significance
Persian Akbarnama (Abul Fazl), Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, Padshahnama Court histories, official language
Sanskrit Jagannath Pandit (court poet of Shah Jahan) Declined during Mughal period
Regional Tulsidas (Ramcharitmanas), Surdas, Kabir, Guru Nanak Bhakti and Sufi literature flourished
Translation Mahabharata (Razmnama), Ramayana, Atharva Veda Akbar's translation projects

Religion

UPSC Prelims Questions

  1. Which of the following was NOT introduced by Akbar?
    1. Zabti system
    2. Jizya tax
    3. Din-i-Ilahi
    4. Mansabdari system
  2. The 'Jharoka Darshan' was introduced by:
    1. Babur
    2. Akbar
    3. Jahangir
    4. Shah Jahan
  3. Which Mughal ruler built the Buland Darwaza to commemorate his victory over Gujarat?
    1. Babur
    2. Humayun
    3. Akbar
    4. Jahangir
  4. Consider the following pairs:
    1. Mansabdar : Military governor
    2. Zabt : Revenue system
    3. Jagir : Hereditary land grant
    Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3