Notes: Creation of an Empire | Social Studies & Pedagogy Paper 2 for CTET & TET Exams - CTET & State TET PDF Download

The Mughal Empire was a vast empire in the Indian subcontinent, established by a Muslim dynasty of Chughtai Turco-Mongol origin from Central Asia. It extended over large parts of the Indian subcontinent and Afghanistan. The Mughals were descendants of two great lineages of rulers, tracing their ancestry back to Genghis Khan from both their mother's and father's sides, and were the successors of Timur.

Mughal Emperors

There were numerous Mughal emperors who ruled over India. They are discussed below:

Babur

• Babur was the founder of Mughal rule. He belonged to the Chughtai section of the Turkish race. His father was Umar Sheikh Mirza.
• He defeated Ibrahim Lodi and his Afghan supporters at the first Battle of Panipat in 1526.
• Babur defeated Rana Sanga, the Rajput rulers, and their allies at Khanua, near Fatehpur Sikri on 21st April, 1527.
• In 1528, Babur defeated the Rajput ruler of Chanderi, Medini Rai, establishing control over Agra and Delhi before his death.

Humayun

• Humayun succeeded Babur and ascended the throne at Agra.
• He faced challenges from his brother Mirza Kamran's ambitions, weakening his position against Afghan competitors.
• Sher Shah defeated Humayun at Chausa (1539) and Kannauj (1540), forcing him to flee to Iran.
• In Iran, he received help from the Safavid Shah. He recaptured Delhi in 1555, but died the following year due to an accident in his library room (Dinpanah) in 1556.

Sher Shah Suri

• Sher Shah Suri was the founder of the Sur Empire. He began his career with the administration of his father Hasan's Iqta at Sasaram in Bihar.
• He earned the title Sher Shah for his bravery after moving to the court of the Afghan ruler of Bihar, Bahar Khan Lohani.

Sher Shah's Land Revenue Policy

Sher Shah's land revenue policy is a significant milestone in the history of the Indian agrarian system:

• Assessment of land revenue was based on the measurement of land, with the Sikandari Gaja (32 inches) as the base unit.
• Sher Shah also focused on improving communications by constructing several important roads, including the Grand Trunk (GT) Road from Sunargaon in East Bengal to Peshawar, a road from Agra to Multan via Burhanpur and Delhi, a road from Multan to Lahore, and a road from Mandu to Agra. These roads were vital arteries of the empire.
• He introduced a regular postal service and attempted to standardize weights and measures.

Restoration of Humayun (AD 1556)

With the assistance of the noble officer Bairam Khan, Humayun regained control over Agra and Delhi in AD 1556 by defeating the weak rulers of the Sur dynasty. However, he tragically died from injuries sustained in an accidental fall from the staircase of his library in Delhi.

Akbar

• Akbar, born at Amarkot in the palace of Rajput Chieftain Rana Virsal in 1542, ascended the throne at the age of 13.
• He secured victory over Hemu during the second Battle of Panipat in 1556.
• Akbar suppressed the revolt of his half-brother Mirza Hakim and the Uzbegs.
• His military campaigns included endeavors in Gujarat, Bihar, Bengal, and the expansion of his empire in North-West India.
• Akbar's policies were extensively documented by Abul Fazl in his book, the Akbarnama, particularly in the Ain-i-Akbari, which detailed the empire's administration, provinces (Subas), discussions on religion, and the concept of 'Sulh-i-Kul' or universal peace.

Jahangir

• Jahangir continued Akbar's military campaigns, with notable conquests such as the Sisodiya ruler of Mewar, Amar Singh, accepting Mughal service.
• He conquered Ahmednagar in 1617 under his son, prince Khurram, who was later titled Shah Jahan.
• Jahangir was renowned for his patronage of paintings and authored his biography, Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, in Persian.

Shahjahan

• Under Shahjahan's reign, Mughal campaigns persisted in the Deccan, including campaigns against Ahmednagar, which was ultimately annexed by the Mughal Emperor in 1632.
• Bundelas were defeated and Orchha was seized by the Mughals.
• In the North-West, the campaign to seize Balkh from the Uzbegs failed, resulting in the loss of Qandhar to the Safavids permanently.
• In 1657-58, a succession conflict among Shahjahan’s sons erupted, leading to Aurangzeb's victory and the demise of his three brothers, including Dara Shikoh. Shahjahan was subsequently imprisoned for life in Agra.

Aurangzeb

• Aurangzeb, Shahjahan's third son, oversaw the territorial zenith of the Mughal Empire during his reign.
• In the North-East, the Ahoms were defeated in 1663.
• Aurangzeb conducted campaigns in the North-West against the Yusufzai and Sikh, as well as faced rebellion from the Jats and Satnamis.
• Mughal intervention in the succession and internal politics of the Rathor Rajputs of Mewar led to their rebellion.
• Prince Akbar rebelled against Aurangzeb, receiving support from the Marathas and Deccan Sultanate, eventually fleeing to Iran.
• After Akbar’s rebellion, Aurangzeb launched campaigns against the Deccan Sultanates, annexing Bijapur in 1685 and Golconda in 1687.
• Aurangzeb personally campaigned in the Deccan against the Marathas, who resorted to guerrilla warfare.
• Aurangzeb passed away in 1707, with his mausoleum located in Aurangabad.
• He reinstated the Jizya tax in 1679 and ordered the destruction of many Hindu temples, earning him the epithet "Jinda Pir."

Question for Notes: Creation of an Empire

Try yourself:

Who was the Mughal Emperor responsible for the conquest of Ahmednagar?

• A.

  Humayun
• B.

  Akbar
• C.

  Jahangir
• D.

  Shahjahan

Explanation

- Jahangir, the son of Akbar, was the Mughal Emperor responsible for the conquest of Ahmednagar.
- He continued his father's military campaigns and achieved notable conquests, including the acceptance of Mewar's ruler, Amar Singh, into Mughal service.
- Under Jahangir's reign, Ahmednagar was conquered in 1617 by his son, prince Khurram, who was later titled Shah Jahan.
- Jahangir's military achievements and patronage of paintings are mentioned in his biography, Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, in Persian.

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Mansabdars and Jagirdars

• In the Mughal period, individuals who joined Mughal service were enlisted as mansabdars, a term referring to position or rank, salary, and military responsibilities.
• Rank and salary were determined by a numerical value called Zat. Mansabdars were required to maintain a specified number of Sawar or Cavalrymen.
• Mansabdars received their salaries as revenue assignments known as Jagirs.

Zabt and Zamindars

• The main source of income for the Mughals was the tax on produce of the peasantry. Akbar's revenue minister, Todar Mal, conducted a survey of crop yields, prices, and cultivated areas between 1570-1580.
• Each province was divided into revenue circles, and the revenue system was known as Zabt.

Mughal Architecture

The Mughal Emperors were renowned builders, earning the Mughal period the title of the Golden Age of Architecture in Indian history.

• A series of forts were constructed, with the Agra Fort (AD 1565) being the most significant, built in red sandstone.
• Humayun initiated the construction of the city Din-Panah in Delhi, while Akbar embellished Agra with magnificent buildings including the Jahangiri Mahal palace.
• Fatehpur Sikri's architecture showcased an excellent fusion of Persian, Central Asian, and various Indian (Bengal and Gujarat) styles, with Gujarat-style buildings constructed for Rajput wives.
• During Akbar’s reign, Humayun’s tomb at Delhi became the first Mughal tomb placed in the center of a large park-like enclosure, built by his widow Haji Begum or Hamida Bano Begum.
• Several mosques were built during Babur’s reign, and Shahjahan's reign saw the construction of Moti masjid at Agra.
• Aurangzeb's architectural contributions included Moti masjid in the Red Fort and the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore.
• Gardens were an integral part of Mughal architecture, with Nur-i-Afshan (Aram Bagh) in Agra laid down by Babur being a beautiful example.
• Jahangir's gardens, particularly Shalimar at Srinagar and the garden in Lahore, were celebrated.