Great Mughal Empire

Muslim Invaders India was always a target for invasion because of its resources and wealth. Tamerlane invaded in 1398 and destroyed many cities, killed most of the people and took the rest as slaves.

Gupta Dynasty 320 – 540 a.d. Wealth came from trading jewels and spices Believed in Hinduism Believed in many gods that were all a part of 1 Supreme Being. Hindu’s believed in social classes

Caste System Strict system of social classes that controlled all aspects of society and determined peoples jobs. There were four classes created Brought stability to India (like the feudal system in Japan)

First Class (at top) Priests Teachers Judges Government officials

Second Class Warrior class Military

Third Class Farmers and Merchants Small land owners and traders

Fourth Class Craftworkers and laborers Skilled workers and people that lived in the bigger cities

Fifth Class Poor and powerless people Known as the “Untouchables” Caste System was very hard on the lower classes Most of the work and taxes were completed and paid by them

Gupta Decline Empire ended when different groups began attacking the empire Muslim invaders began pouring into the empire as it weakened From 1206 – 1526 Muslim’s controlled India A Sultan or Muslim King ruled the empire

Religious Differences Muslims did not become part of Hindu society Beliefs were very different between the Muslims and Hindus. Differences caused violent conflicts between Muslims and Hindus Conflict still continues today (Mumbai attack)

Mughal Empire In 1526, Babur – a descendant of Tamerlane – attacked the Sultan’s army and won He founded the Mughal Empire which ruled into the 1700’s. Babur continued to keep the Muslims and Hindus apart

Akbar – The Greatest Ruler Like previous empires, there is always one ruler that stands out. Only 13 when he came to power Greatly expanded the empire by force Like Justinian, he believed that if he was fair the empire would succeed He allowed Hindus to freely practice their religion

Akbar Divided the empire into provinces (states) and gave government jobs to qualified people (merit system) Hindus were allowed to participate in the government and military Encouraged discussions by leaders of the different religions Listened to everyone’s viewpoint (Justinian)

Akbar Was a great patron of the arts (supporter) He built studios for painters to work and paid poets and writers He was illiterate He ruled for 49 years and his style of leading became the accepted way in India Because of Akbar the empire continued to expand for 100 years after his death

Mughal Decline About 100 years after Akbar’s death the empire began to fall apart Leaders began to spend too much money on buildings and wars and society began to fall apart

Shah Jahan Akbar’s grandson – 1628 Spent an incredible amount of money on extravagant buildings Taj Mahal – tomb for his wife Mamtaz Took 20,000 workers 22 years to complete the building Shah Jahan spent all the empires money on buildings and wars

Aurangzeb Shah Jahan’s son Continued to spend a tremendous amount of money on wasrs and buildings Reversed Akbar’s policies of tolerance towards the Hindu’s and started taxing them very heavily Tried to force them to convert to Islam

Hindu’s Revolt Many Hindu’s began to revolt against the changes The fighting broke up the empire and caused the empire to split up into many small kingdoms