Foundations of the Mughal State Picture: Babur reading his memoirs

Babur r. 1526-1530 Original home in Ferghana Valley, inherits kingdom while still a teenager, looses it Rivals include Timurid and Chingizid relatives; also Uzbeks Will spend much of his life trying to win his homeland back but is not successful Invasion of “Hindustan” occurred only after the hope of getting Ferghana was lost

Ferghana Valley

First Battle of Panipat, 1526 Babur’s army much smaller that that of Ibrahim Lodi, ruler of the Delhi Sultanate—roughly about 12,000 to 100, 000 Babur succeeds due to clever deployment of cavalry and canon Large treasure captured from this victory allows Babur to hire more soldiers and attract Turkish Begs and Afghans to his army Further conquests lead to the annexation of Delhi and Agra Babur dies unexpectedly young in 1530

Humayun’s short Rule, 1530-1556 Reign begins with multiple rebellions—brother Kamran takes Punjab and Afghanistan Sher Shah Suri rebels in Bihar,H. forced to sign treaty with him 2-yr campaign in Gujarat is won by H. in 1536, but Afghan chiefs there out H.’s brother Askari, who had been a governor. By 1540 Gujarat is independent again and Humayun is defeated at the battle of Kannauj by Sher Shah Suri in 1540 For the next 15 years H. will be in exile in Persia until the Persian Emperor helps him win his kingdom back

Sher Shah Suri Built a powerful alliance of Rajput and Afghan chiefs—why these two groups? Reorganizes the old iqta system of the Sultanate Build roads, rest-stops, creates a well-run state After his death in 1545 his successors are unable to continue his policies Humayun re-conquers north India in 1555, but dies shortly afterwards leaving his 15-year old son, Akbar on the throne.

Akbar, 1556-1605, the first “Great Mughal” Early struggle to free himself from the control of Bayram Khan (guardian) and Maham Anaga (foster mother) Humayun’s territories insecure but during 2nd battle of Panipat (1556) Akbar’s army defeats forces under Hemu. Quick expansion follows. After emancipating himself Akbar begins to copy Sher Shah’s reforms and makes many innovative radical changes to administration and policies.

Akbar with Abul Fazl

Political Expansion and Reforms Political Expansion and the ability to follow through on reforms towards a more stable and centralized state were linked to economic reforms. Revenue generated from conquered territories paid for the new expanded state bureaucracy The conquered rules and elite were incorporated into the new state, bringing local knowledge and expertise, lands were cultivated more efficiently Indigenous knowledge was grafted on Persian bureaucratic, book-keeping structures

Monetary Reforms Local and illegal mints abolished, new imperial mints created Akbar’s coins had a standard high purity of precious metals Tri-metallic system of: Gold/Silver/Copper Most revenue and taxes had to be paid in coin Treasuries created all over empire to create a ready access for government funds Non-imperial circulation also grows as safety improves—hundis become used for gov. and civil purposes

Encouraging Collaboration For Akbar’s rivals, co-operation offered more financial and status incentives than resistance As the Mughal resources grew, resistance became less likely Religious reforms and recruitment into the government smoothed the way Marriage alliances, changes in court ceremonies also encouraged collaboration

Akbar’s policy of Sulh-i Kul Akbar was first attracted to mystic Sufis such as chistis of Ajmer Later begins to study the customs of diverse religious groups and encourage formal debates in the Ibadat Khana in his new capital city Has translations of major Hindu works done Allows charitable grants to be made to spiritual leaders and institutions of all religious groups Marries Hindu princesses and lets them maintain their own faith systems Hindus and other groups allowed to observe their own legal customs in family law, jizya tax abolished

Akbar and his court

Changes in Court Ceremony Central Asian tribal rules abandoned for a more elaborate, hybrid form of Persian and Indian rituals which emphasized the spiritual and political authority of the emperor Rajput customs such as Jharoka, weighing ceremonies, Hindu festivals adopted The older Mughal norm of the traveling court, however, was retained—Why?

“News reporters” Send regular updates To court from cities and towns

Mughal Officers (mansabdars) and Mansabdari system All officers giver a rank in two tiers: 1) zat (50-5000) 2) sawar or cavalry rank(if army posting) Officers could be moved from civilian to army posts and vice versa Most paid cash salaries only the most senior had jagirs assigned to them Jagirs are a right to collect revenue NOT a right to the land, could be audited, were often not in the same area as the posting.