1. The Mogul Empire
1200: start of muslim rule in India (captial Delhi) ** Did not force hindus to convert RULED NORTH INDIA
** hindu had to pay special tax & couldn’t hold high government office

2. Babur
He founded the empire in 1526 when he defeated a Delhi sultan
His army of 12,000 defeated the sultan’s 100,000 men
Moguls were descendants of the Mongols, Turks, Iranians and Afghans
Claimed to be a descendant of Genghis Kahn “The Tiger” *** captured Agra & Delhi & named himself Sultan***
Defeat was easy because he was a military genius and use of CANNONS & other artillery (muskets)
** *** his forces rode horses not elephants

3. Babur Educated warrior Fond of poetry
Created Persian gardens wherever he conquered, missed cool climate of his homeland (see painting)
He wasn’t happy in “hindustan” he said it lacked any charm
Military genius
Poet, author - wrote his memoirs

4. Babur He had to fight to keep order in his society
Victory at Kanwaha on March 10, 1527
Became absolute ruler of North India
Spent the rest of his life trying to organize his empire & build his capital- Agra
Died 12/126/1530
Empire passed to his son Hymayan

5. Humayan Walks the fine line between tragedy & embarassment
Lost empire to rival, had to flee to Safavid empire (Persia / Iran) for help
Son Akbar born during exile, left behind with mother and guardian
Lost empire to rival (afghan) Sher Shah
Safavids allow him to stay for 10 years - send him back with an army to defeat Afghans
re-establishes power- one year later dies…

6. With help of Safavids, Humayan regained the empire, 1555
Humayan’s Tomb
With help of Safavids, Humayan regained the empire, 1555
Shortly after, fell down stairs of his observatory, and died (1556)
Major loser in history
In the words of one chronicler, he “stumbled out of this life much as he had stumbled through it”.
** probably under the influence of opium of alcohol ******Greatest thing Humanyan did was a have a son

7. Akbar 1556-1605 He was Babur’s grandson and took the throne at 13
He spent most of his reign making and changing administrative policies
Added many new territories to the empire and built the largest army in Mogul history
Very modern for time period (time of reign) *** cultural & economic progress
* Lets them celebrate Diwaly - festival of lights for Hindu’s

8. Akbar
He was one of the first Mogul rulers to effectively rule the diverse ethnic make-up of the empire
Akbar, a Muslim, appointed Hindus to high ranking positions
He encouraged intermarriage
He accepted all religions and sects
Himself married a hindu woman **respected eachother *** He also supported intellectual & cultural life
* Accepting all religions he hoped to create loyalty & harmony amongst all religions

9. Jahangir
Often drunken and cruel, his later years found him often incapacitated by opium and alcohol abuse
Married a 34 year-old Persian widow he renamed Nur Jahan
Nur Jahan “Light of the World” She would become one of the strongest personalities of the Mogul period
**Created political instability -- government became corrupt
Painting commissioned by Akbar celebrating the birth of Jahangir

10. Jahangir
Nur Jahan was the de facto ruler of the Mogul empire for the last half of Jahangir’s reign, due to his laziness and inebriation.
She schemed to get her relatives in positions of power
Replaced by his son Prince Khurram, who he renamed Shah Jahan (“Emperor of the World”)

11. Shah Jahan
Prince Khurram took the throne at 35 and changed his name to Shah Jahan
He spent most of his time trying to expand south
Shah Jahan (king of the world) given name because of his military victories ** 5th son of Jahangir– not eldest but favorite (all brothers died of mysterious circumstances)

12. Shah Jhan He was a competent commander with a strict sense of justice
During his rule he built palaces, mosques and gardens
The best known structure is the Taj Mahal
When he became sick his sons fought for control of the empire

13. Shah Jahan
Eventually his son Aurangzeb captured the throne and imprisoned his father at Fort Agra because he supported Dara Shukoh (an older son)
Although it sounds harsh, most Mogul rulers killed their fathers upon succession
Empire went into decline

14. TAJ MAHAL
Shah Jahan built the mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal in Agra
It is constructed of materials from India and all over Asia
Name= Jewel of the Palace ***married 19 years & she died giving birth to 14th child***
**** Her last wish was for him to create a symbol of their love***** **** took 20,000 laborers, 22 years*** ***used 1,000s of elephants to move construction material*** SYMBOLIZE: stability, power & confidence

15. Mughal Expansion Under Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb also known as Alamgir (“World Conqueror”)
Aurangzeb launched military campaigns that eventually added most of the Deccan and South India to the empire
The cost of these expeditions would later weaken the empire