Noor Asher

History of Sub Con.

1. The Origins of Mughal Empire
Ans: The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur, a Central Asian ruler who was descended from the
Turko-Mongol conqueror Timur on his father's side and from Chagatai, the second son of the Mongol
ruler Genghis Khan, on his mother's side. He finished his conquest of northern India in 1526, defeating
the Delhi Sultan Ibrahim Shah Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat.

2. The Foundation of Mughal Empire:
Ans: (15261858 AD). Foundation of Mughal Empire in India is starts with invasion of Babar descendant
of Timur in 1526 who succeeded in routing Ibrahim Lodhi and Rana Sanga and consolidated his rule over
northern India. There after his descendants never looked back. Akbar the Great a sparkling star in Indian
history dreamt of a united India started conquering India with sword and diplomatically as well. Under
the reign of mughals India flourished socially, economically as well as culturally. A very sound empire
was established that lasted till fall of Aurangzeb and rise of Marathas. The volume has been weaved into
eleven comprehensive chapters on Foundation of Mughal Empire. They have deep bearing on Babar,
Humayun, Sher Shah Suri, Akbar the Great, Rise of the Maratha Power, Later Mughals, Maratha
Ascendancy, Treaty of 1829 and Transfer of the Reserved Districts, Post Office and Communications,
Public Charities, Raghuji's Character and Annexation of Nagpur to British Dominions.

3. India under Mughal Emperors:
Ans: The Great Mughal Emperors were: Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jehan, and Aurangzeb.
Babur's forces occupied much of northern India after his victory at Panipat in 1526. The preoccupation
with wars and military campaigns, however, did not allow the new emperor to consolidate the gains he
had made in India. The instability of the empire became evident under his son, Humayun, who was
driven out of India and into Persia by rebels. Humayun's exile in Persia established diplomatic ties
between the Safavid and Mughal Courts, and led to increasing Persian cultural influence in the Mughal
Empire. The restoration of Mughal rule began after Humayun's triumphant return from Persia in 1555,
but he died from a fatal accident shortly afterwards. Humayun's son, Akbar, succeeded to the throne
under a regent, Bairam Khan, who helped consolidate the Mughal Empire in India. Akbar's son, Jahangir,
ruled the empire at its peak, but he was addicted to opium, neglected the affairs of the state, and came
under the influence of rival court cliques. During the reign of Jahangir's son, Shah Jahan, the culture and
splendour of the luxurious Mughal court reached its zenith as exemplified by the Taj Mahal. The
maintenance of the court, at this time, began to cost more than the revenue. Shah Jahan's eldest son,
the liberal Dara Shikoh, became regent in 1658, as a result of his father's illness. However, a younger
son, Aurangzeb, allied with the Islamic orthodoxy against his brother, who championed a syncretistic
Hindu-Muslim culture, and ascended to the throne.

4. Babur (1526-1530):
Ans: He was born in Feb 23, 1483, and he passed away in Dec 26, 1530. He ruled from 1526 to1530. He
was a direct descendant of Genghis Khan through Timur and was the founder of the Mughal Empire
after his victories at the Battle of Panipat (1526) and the Battle of Khanwa.

5. Humayun (1530-1556):
Ans: He was born in Mar 6, 1508, and he passed away on Jan 1556. He ruled from 1530 to1540. His reign
interrupted by Suri Dynasty. Youth and inexperience at ascension led to his being regarded as a less
effective ruler than usurper, Sher Shah Suri.

6. Akbar (1556-1605):
Ans: He was born in Nov 14, 1542, and he passed away on Oct 27, 1605. He ruled from 1556 to1605. He
and Bairam Khan defeated Hemu during the Second Battle of Panipat and later won famous victories
during the Siege of Chittorgarh and the Siege of Ranthambore; He greatly expanded the Empire and is
regarded as the most illustrious ruler of the Mughal Empire as he set up the empire's various
institutions; he married Mariam-uz-Zamani, a Rajput princess. One of his most famous construction
marvels was the Lahore Fort.

7. The Great Jehangir (1605-1627):
Ans: He was born in Oct 1569 and he passed away on 1627. He ruled from 1605 to1627. Jahangir set the
precedent for sons rebelling against their emperor fathers. Opened first relations with the British East
India Company. Reportedly was an alcoholic, and his wife Empress Noor Jahan became the real power
behind the throne and competently ruled in his place.

8. Shah Jehan (1627-1658):
Ans: He was born in Jan 5, 1592 and he passed away in 1666. He ruled from 1627 to 1658. Under him,
Mughal art and architecture reached their zenith; constructed the Taj Mahal, Jama Masjid, Red Fort,
Jahangir mausoleum, and Shalimar Gardens in Lahore. Deposed by his son Aurangzeb.

9. Aurangzeb (1658-1707) <The Paragon of Stability> The Master Builder:
Ans: He was born in Oct 21, 1618 and he passed away in Mar 3, 1707. He ruled from 1658 to 1707. He
reinterpreted Islamic law and presented the Fatawa-e-Alamgiri; he captured the diamond mines of the
Sultanate of Golconda; he spent the major part of his last 27 years in the war with the Maratha rebels;
at its zenith, his conquests expanded the empire to its greatest extent; the over-stretched empire was
controlled by Mansabdars, and faced challenges after his death. He is known to have transcribed copies
of the Qur'an using his own styles of calligraphy. He died during a campaign against the ravaging
Marathas in the Deccan.

10. The Crisis of Mughal Empire:
Ans: The Mughal Empire is is growing in size from the time of Akbar. With the conquest of the South by
Aurangzeb, it covered almost all India from Kashmir to river Kaveri and from Kabul to Chittagong it
became too vast to be governed from one center at the command of one man. Communications were
difficult. Distances were enormous. The Empire therefore began to sink under its own weight. It was
because of the vastness of the empire. There were no systems of democratic decentralization in those
days. The provincial Government looked to the emperor for orders. The burden of administration grew
with the growth of the Empire. Its success depend only the ability of the Emperor. If the Emperors
person declined or his policy turned wrong, the Empire was bound to suffer. This was because of the
over -sized Administration. The first six Mughal Emperors from Babar to Aurangzeb are described as the
great Mughals. The Emperors after Aurangzeb are called the latter Mughals. These later Mughal
Emperor are weak and worthless. They could not save the Empire from rapid decline. This was because
of the weak successors.

11. Mughal Commercial System:
Ans: The Arrival of the Portuguese, the commercial Empire of Dutch, English and French
Companies, The commercial revolution in India, the banking system, the separation between
Political and Economic Elites.


12. Mughal Art and Architecture:
Ans: Art and architecture under the Mughal era was a blend of Islamic and Persian architecture. Mughals
introduced a lot of innovative ideas when it came to construction in the subcontinent. White marble,
red sandstone and Gemstones were used in the Mughal architecture. Nearly 400 monuments have
survived a time-span of 132 years. a characteristic Indo-Islamic-Persian style that flourished on the
Indian subcontinent during the Mughal empire (15261857). This new style combined elements
of Islamic art and architecture which had been introduced to India during the Delhi Sultanate (1192
1398) and had produced great monuments such as the QutbMinar with features of Persian art and
architecture. Mughal monuments are found chiefly in N India, but there are also many remains in
Pakistan. This article discusses these distinctive forms of art and architecture as they developed under a
succession of Mughal emperors.