Tag: Akbar

Introduction

India displayed political division and factionalism around the start of the sixteenth century. The strong Delhi Sultanate was afflicted with many issues. Their power was only limited in the vicinity of Delhi. Bahmani, Vijayanagar, and Deccan kingdoms were split up into smaller pieces. This was a golden opportunity for the Central Asian kings, who had been waiting to invade India and increase their dominance in this region. Babur was one such invader from Central Asia who, after losing power over his paternal principality of Farghana, set out to conquer the Indian subcontinent. Babur was the man who established the Mughal dynasty in India. He was the descendant of Genghis Khan and Amir Timur and was responsible for establishing the Mughal empire in India.

The Mughal Empire

After defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the initial Battle of Panipat in 1526, Babur laid the foundation for the Mughal Empire. The majority of the Indian subcontinent was covered in this empire until 1707, after which it began to wane due to weaker Mughals who were incapable to extend it. The Mughal kings governed India for more than three hundred years. The Mughal Empire was the first to exploit gunpowder technology to establish its dominance in India, hence it was also known as the “Gunpowder Empire.”

One of the largest empires in medieval India, the Mughal empire had strongmen like Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Aurangzeb.

Birth of the Mughal state

• The final Tughlaq monarch was vanquished by Babur in 1526, and he establishes the Mughal Empire.
• It was well maintained by his successors Akbar, Shahjahan, Jahangir, and Aurangzeb, who strengthened the empire by conquering challenges that stood in the way of its growth. To create a strong Mughal empire, they developed an effective administrative and bureaucratic structure.
• Akbar used a diplomatic strategy to gain the trust of his Hindu competitors as well as a policy of religious tolerance, which assisted him in establishing a sizable and powerful state.
• As a result of the Mughal era’s cultural advancement, advancement in architecture, and efficient administrative practices, emperors were able to consolidate their control over nearly the entirety of India, as well as portions of Afghanistan and Baluchistan.
• They developed a network of trade with other countries, hence bringing prosperity to India.

 Trade 

• During the Mughal era, an abundance of agricultural products drove the growth of a global commerce network.
• The Mughals encouraged trade both inside and outside their kingdom. They also offered international traders the necessary protection.
• Various reductions were made on the inland tax and customs fees.
• India used to export textiles made of silk, wool, and cotton back then, as well as spices, opium, and indigo.
• Horses, bullion, and opulent items like wine, corals, and perfumes were among the things they used to import for the royal family.

Bureaucracy and Division of the kingdom

• The Mughal government featured a centralized administration, with the King serving as the ultimate decision-maker.
• A group of ministers and officials, including Wazir, Mir Bakshi, Qazi, and Mir Saman, among others, aided him.
• The empire was further divided into 15 provinces called subas, each of which was governed by a subedar.
• These provinces were further subdivided into districts or sarkars and were governed by a faujdar.
• Furthermore, Parganas, which were managed by shiqdars, were used to split districts into smaller groups.
• Under the control of the Panchayats, muqaddams were in charge of all the villages in the parganas.
• The “Mansabdari” system was developed by the Mughals for effective military management. The Emperor hired, evaluated, and demoted the Mansabdars from their position as and when required.

Beginning the End of the Mughal empire

• Internal problems

By the conclusion of Aurangzeb’s reign, a lot of internal strife had already begun.

These tensions included a succession battle, problems administering a big empire, flaws in the Mansabdari system, an increase in the power of the nobles, and rebellions by Rajputs, Sikhs, Jats, and Satnamis.

• Fragments of the Mughal Empire

During the eighteenth century, the Mughal empire spread in northern and southern India, and hence managing them was difficult. Along with this, internal conflicts and persistent outside threats set the road for the empire’s decline.

The Mughal empire eventually broke up into two separate types of provincial states. The destabilization of the Mughal centralized political structure led to the rise of successor states like Bengal, Awadh, and Hyderabad.

The other was “new states,” which were founded by Mughal dynasty rebels such as the Maratha Confederacy, Jats, and Sikhs, who declared to be independent of Mughal dominion. The Mughal empire was divided into various pieces by the end of Aurangzeb’s rule.

• External rivals for power

By the second half of the eighteenth century, the weak Mughal kings after Aurangzeb were exploited by their foreign competitors. The Empire was utterly destroyed by foreign invaders like Ahmad Shah Abdali from Afghanistan and Nadir Shah from Iran.

The English East India Company (EEIC), which came for trading, was made aware of the Mughal Empire’s frailty. This gave them confidence that by controlling political matters, the British Empire may grow in India. Finally, the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was expelled by the British in 1857, thereby ending the Mughal era.

 Summary

India displayed political division and factionalism around the start of the sixteenth century. Delhi Sultanate was afflicted with problems. The lack of a centralized government and ongoing internal strife offered Babur the chance to end the Delhi Sultanate and usher in the Mughal Empire. The empire was at its height under the early Mughals’ control, but after Aurangzeb, when his successors proved unable to maintain the empire, it began to decline. Additionally, ongoing external obstacles include many invasions from the northwest and the eventual rise to power of the English which shook the foundation of the Mughal empire.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Explain the Mansabdai system.
Ans: Mansab is the Arabic word for an office or rank. A mansabdar was a high-ranking officer. The Mansabdar was in charge of sustaining order and providing soldiers with instruction. The mansab, or rank, was assigned based on the significance and nature of the employment.

2. What was the Deccan policy of Aurangzeb? What effects did this policy have?
Ans: To subjugate the independent kingdoms in the south, Aurangzeb spent the last half of his reign in the Deccan.

His actions had the following results:

• Although he annexed Bijapur and Golconda, it was challenging for him to rule these kingdoms from Delhi.
• The state’s resources were depleted by his protracted conflict with the Marathas and his important time.
• During his absence in the north, various revolutions emerged.

3. What was the religious policy of Akbar?
Ans: Following is the religious policy of Akbar

• Akbar promoted religious tolerance, which was known as his Sulh-i-kul policy (universal peace).
• Jizyah (a tax on non-Muslims) and pilgrimage tax were eliminated by him.
• He constructed temples and even participated in Hindu holidays.
• Ibadat Khana was created by him for religious discourse.

Introduction

The history of India and the Subcontinent under the Mughal Empire underwent significant upheaval in the 16th and 17th centuries. The strong Rajput kings of Northern India were gradually losing control over diverse regions. The Mughals, on the other hand, could not enlarge their empire across the entire nation. The most effective tactic for enlarging their empire was Akbar’s plan to form marriage ties with the Rajput’s. The Rajput’s were likewise prepared to strengthen the Mughal Empire for their own political gain. They freely gave their daughters in marriage to the Mughal emperors in exchange for money and respected positions in the Mughal empire.

Mughal alliances with the Rajput’s

• The Rajput’s were an important part of Akbar’s diplomatic plan to strengthen their grip over the nation. He had faith that Rajput’s would supply them with a dependable and powerful military.
• Rajput’s performed a variety of tasks under Emperor Akbar during the Mughal era.
• Rajput’s were given money and several significant posts in the government, including the office of Mansabdars, in recognition of their contributions to the defense and expansion of the Mughal empire.
• Emperor Akbar eliminated the Jizya Tax and the Pilgrimage Tax for the Hindus as the alliance grew over time.
• Through reconciliation strategies with Hindus, particularly with the Rajput’s Emperor Akbar gradually extended the Mughal Empire into Northern India and, to some extent in the Deccan region.

Akbar’s Marriage to Rajput Girls

• As a part of the New Diplomatic Strategy, a marriage alliance was created between the two ruling families, the Mughals and the Rajput’s. The Rajput’s decided to barter their daughters for political gain and monetary benefits.
• The first Rajput woman to marry the Mughal Emperor Akbar and gain access to the Mughal zenana was known as Jodha Bai in 1562. She was Raja Bihari Mal’s (Bharmal)daughter, the ruler of Amber.
• The Rajput’s gained a lot of benefits and influence by arranging for her marriage to the Mughal monarch.
• Raja Bhagwan Das, the brother of Akbar’s wife, rose to the rank of commander in the Mughal cavalry.
• Similar to this, Rao Kalyanmal of Bikaner wished to marry Emperor Akbar to his two nieces, Raj Kanwar and Bhanumati.
• Around the same period, Rajkumari Nathi Bai, the daughter of the ruler of Jaisalmer Hari Raj, was also going to marry Emperor Akbar. Akbar also gave his son Kunwar Sultan Singh a position of honor in the palace.

King Akbar was a great ruler and hence never objected to them following their own Hindu faith. He even provided his wives’ parents and other royal relatives with respectable jobs. All the wives were free to follow their Hindu rites and prayers just as they had in their paternal home. Also, Akbar never attempted to convert them to Islam.

Jahangir’s Marriage to Rajput Girls

Jahangir, Akbar’s successor, and son, also kept up his marriage ties to the Rajput. Prior to taking the throne, Jahangir wed Mani Bai, a Kachchwaha princess who was the daughter of Raja Bhagwant Das. Then, after ascending to the position of Emperor, he wed numerous Rajput women. Notably, the daughters of Jagat Singh Kachchawaha and Ram Chandra Bundela also married King Jahangir. The last union between the Rajput and the Mughals took place in 1715 when Indira Kanwar, the daughter of Marwar King Ajit Singh, married Emperor Farrukhsiyar.

List of marriage alliances between the Mughals and the Rajput

Here is a list of marriage alliances between the Mughals and the Rajput-

Summary

In Indian history, the Mughals were the most influential and powerful kings. The Mughals nearly completely expanded their Empire during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Turko Afghan Sultanate was taking control of the regions that the Rajput kings once ruled in North and North East India. The Turko Afghan sultanate was overthrown by the Mughals. The Mughals thus proved to be very powerful, But when Akbar assumed control, he understood the importance of having a reliable and powerful military. He then developed a fresh approach to diplomacy wherein he started making alliances with the Rajput by marrying their daughter. The first Rajput princess who married King Akbar was Jodhabai. These alliances helped in the growth of the Mughal empire and also gave various benefits to the Rajput who married their daughters to the Mughal King..

Frequently Askes Questions

1. Who were the Rajput?
Ans:  The Rajput were a military clan renowned for their valour and fidelity. The Sanskrit term “Raja Putra,” which implies a King’s son, served as the inspiration for the name “Rajput. From the sixth until the twelfth centuries, they controlled India.

2. Give a short explanation of the Mughals.
Ans:   The Timurid dynasty included the Mughals. The Turco Mongols of Central Asia were the ancestors of this dynasty. They took control of India in 1526, and by 1707 they had taken control of the whole subcontinent, which included modern-day India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. They held power over India till the 1850s.

3. Who was Emperor Akbar?
Ans:  Emperor Akbar’s full name Abu’l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar was the son of emperor Humayun. He served as the third Mughal emperor from 1556 to 1605. He was known as “the great” emperor due to a number of his achievements such as-

• The expansion of the Mughal Empire across the Indian subcontinent.
• Tolerance towards various other religious beliefs.
• His administrative reform initiatives for the betterment of society.
• His progressive attitude to end tax discrimination against Muslims and Hindus.

Introduction

The Mughal Dynasty, which controlled India from the 16th to the 18th century, was founded by Babur. It is one of India’s longest-reigning dynasties was the Mughals. Except for a few regions in south India, they controlled most of the Indian subcontinent. One of India’s most powerful dynasties, the Mughals were the first to rule the nation on their own. Before the Mughals, all earlier dynasties originated outside of India and maintained their cultural allegiance to their nations. They governed for 200 years and seven generations, claiming India as their nation. 

The Mughal emperors who governed India are as follows-

Babur

Babur (1526-30)

• Babur was the son of Umar Sheikh Mirza, the former ruler of Fergana, which is situated to the north of the Hindukush Mountain. He was only 12 years old when he ascended to power.
• Babur‘s Timurid lineage has led him to look toward India constantly. Punjab was important to him because Taimur formerly ruled there.
• He advanced deeper into northwest India, conquering Sialkot and Lahore.
• Babur was waiting for the ideal time to conquer the interior of India. To assault Ibrahim Lodi, he received an invitation from Dauat khan Lodi.
• Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the pivotal battle of Panipat (1526) and took control of Delhi, and Agra.
• Babur imported gunpowder to India, which led to a new style of warfare.
• He defeated Afghans in Ghagara, Rajputs of Chanderi (1528), Rana Sanga at the Battle of Khandwa (1527), and Ibrahim Lodi in the Battle of Panipat (1526). (1529).
• Babur laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India.

For more help, you can Refer to Lesson 4 –The Mughal Empire in Social Studies Class 7. Checkout the video Lesson for a better understanding.

Humayun

Humayun (1530-40 & 1555-56)

• Humayun is the son of Babur, and he gained control post the demise of King Babur.
• He initially had a tough time due to the abrupt death of Babur. 
• Also, the elderly Afghans were regaining their footing, and an Afghan soldier named Sher Shah Suri became the Mughal empire’s main enemy. Humayun had to deal with many challenges.
• During the battles of Chausa (1539) and Kannauj (1540), Humayun was defeated and hence, he had to depart for Iran after leaving Delhi.
• He gradually took over Lahore and Delhi after Sher Shah’s demise.
• He passed away in 1556.

Akbar

Akbar (1556-1605)

• Akbar was the son of King Humayun and under the leadership of Bairam Khan, Akbar ascended to the throne following the death of Humayun.
• He defeated Hemu at the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556 with the aid of Bairam Khan, regaining control of Delhi.
• In India, Akbar is regarded as the most significant and influential Mughal emperor.
• He implemented a policy of religious tolerance and used marriage as a diplomatic tool to solidify his connection with the Rajput kings. A Hindu princess was his bride.
• During Akbar’s reign, the Mughal empire grew rapidly. From 1556 to 1605, he ruled over the whole Indian subcontinent.
• Jizyah was dismissed, and Hindu rajas were assigned to positions of authority in his court.
• He founded an Order called Din-e-Ilahi that was based on the Muslim Sufi brotherhood and was open to everyone.

Jahangir

Jahangir (1605-27)

• Jahangir was King Akbar’s son who ascended to the throne in 1605, post the death of King Akbar.
• Because he was the son of a Rajput princess, he followed the policy of fostering stronger ties with Hindu emperors.
• His biggest accomplishment was seizing control of Mewar, which Akbar had previously been unable to do.
• The ruler of Mewar was Rana Amar Singh, and despite Jahangir’s three repeated assaults, he was unable to overthrow Rana.
• When a cease-fire was finally reached, Karan Singh, the son of Rana Amar Singh, visited Jahangir and was warmly welcomed by the emperor.
• He recovered his Mewar domains and made Karan sing a Mansabdar of 5000 ranks.
• In 1627, he passed away.

Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan (1627-58)

• Shah Jahan was the son of King Jehangir and in 1627, he was crowned emperor.
• He began expanding the Mughal sphere of influence in the south. He took control of Bijapur and Golkonda.
• Shah Jhan had a passion for architecture and constructed the Taj Mahal, Moti Masjid, Jami Masjid, and the Red Fort in Delhi.
• Paintings and literary works flourished during his era. In his court, he keeps a magnificent collection of jewels.
• He controlled the Mughal empire until his son Aurangzeb rose in rebellion and imprisoned him for the rest of his life in 1658.
• In jail, he passed away.

Aurangzeb

Aurangzeb (1658-1707)

• He was one of Shah Jahan’s four sons. He imprisoned his father, the emperor, and had all of his brothers murdered. Furthermore, he ruled for a very long time (1658-1707).
• In 1663, he put an end to the Ahom uprising, which broke out again in 1680.
• He laid down severe policies, that were implemented against Sikhs and Hindus.
• Aurangzeb faced opposition from Shivaji and the Marathas.
• He murdered Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh in front of a throng as part of his extremely harsh attitude toward Sikhs.
• He was an orthodox king who once more began the Jizya and imposed high levies.
• After his death in 1707, the Mughal empire collapsed under the weight of his policies, which had brought his enemies together.

Mughal Tradition of Succession

• Compared to other dynasties, the Mughal tradition of succession was particularly unique.
• Primogeniture, the custom of selecting the firstborn son to succeed the parents as monarch, was not practised by the Mughals.
• The Mughals adhered to Timurid norms, which mention each son’s equal claim to the throne. Coparcenary inheritance is the term used.
• The Mughal dynasty’s violent power struggles were because of the equal claim of each son to the same throne. A new revolt sprang out whenever the emperor appeared frail or passed away, and princes began battling with one another for the throne.
• There were several plots and brutal fights during the Mughal succession.
• The emperor used to assign his sons the roles of governors and split his territories among them. The princes had duties to curb the rebellion and protect the empire.
• However, as the princes grew more powerful, they frequently revolted against the monarch and occasionally engaged in conflict among themselves.

Summary

India was made into a vast empire by the Mughals, and during their rule, there were numerous administrative and cultural changes. Hindu rajas were permitted to work in the Mughals’ intricate bureaucracy. The Mughals made their contemporary Rajput rajas into high officers known as Mansabdar and for the first time established a good relationship with them. Mansabdars were aristocrats with the authority to levy taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.Who was Todar Mal?
Ans: Todar Mal was the revenue officer in Akbar’s court and was highly regarded by the emperor. He was a truthful person.

2.What does the term Sulh-i-Kul mean?
Ans: The word, which means “global peace,” is Persian. This was begun by Akbar; it forbade discrimination based on religion. In Akbar’s view, justice applied to all people.

3.What modifications to the nature of warfare did Babur make?
Ans: Babur introduced gunpowder to India.

Introduction

Babur founded the Mughal empire in 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat. In order to establish the empire, Babur had to command a number of military campaigns. Expeditions of Babur include-

• The Battles of Khanwa (1527)
• The Battles of Chanderi(1528)
• The Battles of  Ghagra (1529).

It took almost two decades for Akbar, who rose to the Mughal throne in 1556, to establish his authority and bring central and northern India under his control. His reign saw some significant military campaigns, such as the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556 and the Battle of Haldighati. A number of military conquests were led by Akbar’s successors, Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Aurangzeb, to further the empire’s reach in Mewar, Deccan, Kangra, and Bengal.

Mughal Military Campaign

Gunpowder tactics, in which the Mughals employed cannons to beat their enemies, and well-trained cavalry were the reasons behind the military campaigns’ success. We shall examine in depth the three occasions when the Mughal military campaigns refused to carry on campaigns due to the fear of seasons in those regions.

• A campaign headed by prince Murad Bakhsh in Balkh
• Mughal’s Military campaign in Kashmir
• Mughal Conquest of Assam

A Campaign Headed by Prince Murad Bakhsh in Balkh

• The Mughal emperor Shahjahan led a military expedition in the seventeenth century under the command of his younger son prince Murad Bakhsh to conquer the Uzbek city of Balkh (modern-day Afghanistan). 
• This territory belonged to the Mughals and was taken by Uzbeks under Babur. Balkh’s monarch fled as soon as the Mughal army arrived, and Murad quickly took control of the region.
• Murad eventually made the decision to leave the area. So, he asked for permission to move away from that location.
• Winter was about to arrive in Central Asia at the time, and it was difficult to survive with a sizable force. This was the reason for the request for relocation.
• It was very challenging for them because of the surrounding snow, which could close roads for months and complicate logistics by making it difficult to feed both the sizable army and the horses used for the cavalry.
• Shahjahan rejected his son’s petition and instructed him to stay in position. Murad still left his subordinates there and began his return trip.
• As a result of this, Shahjahan expelled Murad from his court and his mansab was called.

Mughal’s Military Campaign in Kashmir

In 1586, the Chak dynasty of Kashmir was overthrown by the Mughal emperor Akbar.A military expedition to conquer Kashmir was planned under the leadership of Muhammed Qasim Khan. Because of the harsh winter, Mughal troops gradually began to refuse to advance during the capture of Kashmir, forcing Qasim Khan to go out and fight with the enemies on his own. The Mughal soldiers in Kashmir struggled to survive the bitter weather, rough terrain, and unbearable conditions with little to no food supplies.

The Mughal warriors were used to a hotter, more open environment, hence this campaign was difficult for them.

Mughal Conquest of Assam

• The Mughal marched in Assam and Aurangzeb dispatched an army in 1662 with Mir Jumla as its supreme commander.
• The Mughals 1663 sent an army to Assam. The Mughal army successfully conquered the region and compelled the Ahoms to seek sanctuary in the highlands.
• At the conclusion of this campaign, Aurangzeb sent an order to Assam from the Mughal court to select two officials to serve as subedar and faujdar. But, due to the difficulties of the climate they had to endure during the conquest, such as rain and floods, the commanders declined to take the position.
• Ahom took advantage of the circumstance and left their hiding place to begin attacking the Mughal invaders after seeing the helplessness of the Mughal forces.
• In addition, the warriors’ line of communication with one another and the supply of food grains were disrupted by the constant, heavy rain.
• The imperial army fled from Assam as a result of all of these.

Summary

The Mughal military campaigns began in the latter part of the fourteenth century and lasted virtually until the seventeenth. Even though the Mughals were successful in almost all of their conquests, they occasionally faced difficulties in the form of internal insurrection and persistent external pressure. Additionally, environmental considerations presented challenges for the Mughal army. As a result, campaigns like those in Kashmir and Balkh by Murad occasionally had to be abandoned due to unfavourable circumstances. Although many difficulties were faced by the Mughals, their reign is still considered the most powerful in the history of India.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Who were the Ahoms?
Ans: The tribal communities that moved to Assam were known as Ahoms. They conquered Assam’s traditional landowner elite, known as bhuiyans. The Chhutiyas and Koch-Hajo were also captured by them in the sixteenth century. In the end, they conquered a number of local tribes and established a new, sizable state in the Brahmaputra valley.

2.When and between whom was the Haldighati Fight Fought? Who Emerged Victorious from the Conflict?
Ans: In 1576 CE, Rana Pratap and Akbar’s Rajput armies engaged in combat at Haldighati. Rana Pratap was defeated by the Mughal army under Raja Man Singh’s leadership.

3.Who was Faujdar in the Mughal Era?
Ans: The head of a garrison in the military was known as the “Faujdar” during the Mughal dynasty. These faujdars were later elevated to the position of district chiefs, or sarkars, during Akbar’s rule.