The Mughal Empire By Shelby Garde and Mary Ellen Eisenberg

Social Society: Gender Roles The Mughal Empire brought out better treatment of women. Many men in the government came to their wives for political advice. There were aristocratic women who were able to read and write. Women and men were not treated like equals, but they were closer to equality than anyone had been before.

Social In the 700’s, the Muslim tribes carved northwestern India into small kingdoms. The Invaders descended from Muslim Turks and Afghans. They called themselves Mughals, which means “Mongols”.

Social: Family The first Emperor was an 11-year old Babur, a brilliant general who, with a troop of 12,000 men, won against a group of 100,000 men. His grandson succeeded the throne after him, his name was Akbar. He was a genius in cultural blending, and was very open to different religious ideas. Akbar’s son, Jahangir took the throne after him. He left political tasks up to his wife, who was an excellent decision maker.

Political Most of the Leaders in the Mughal Empire were very tolerant of different religions, and were open to new ideas. Except for Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan’s successor was very strict when enforcing Islamic laws. He tried to erase all the gains that Hindus had made. He taxed non-Muslims He wouldn’t build anyone who was not Islamic a temple for a place of worship.

Political cont. All of the leaders of the Mughal empire were very good military leaders. Their first official leader, Babur, was extremely skilled. When he rose to power, he was only 11 years old. Within 2 years, he had defeated two large armies. Akbar turned potential enemies into allies, which gave him military power and political wisdom, and helped to unify the land.

Interactions The first Mughals migrated from central Asia. Once they established the Mughal empire, military leaders began to expand the territory. They conquered new lands, and the growth of the Mughals was greatly increasing. The empire expanded more and more with every new leader.

Culture: Religion When Akbar came into power, he was a genius in cultural blending. He had many wives and let them all practice their own beliefs. Abolished taxes on Hindu pilgrims and non-Muslims. He even hired a Spanish Jesuit tutor his son.

Culture: Arts Under the rule of Akbar, the arts began to flourish Book illustrations became very popular Under his rein, buildings were massive but graceful structures with stone work that shows Hindu themes He was very tolerant of his people’s ideas and beliefs

Culture: Architecture One of the leaders of the Mughal Empire, Shah Jahan, had a wife named Mumtaz Mahal. After her death, he wanted a shrine to be built in her memory. He wanted it to be, “as beautiful as se was beautiful.” This tomb is still standing today, and is named the Taj Mahal.

Cuture: Religion A new leader, Aurangzeb, tried to erase all Hindu gains, and enforced Islamic laws. Banned construction of new temple, so they had no place of worship. Wasn’t tolerant of different religions. Appointed people to watch over his subjects, and made sure that they prayed at the appointed times.

Economic Systems While Shah Jahan was ruling, he built so many gardens, monuments, and forts that his empire was suffering. Farmers were lacking tools, roads, and ways to irrigate their crops. When Akbar was ruling, he had taken away taxes from non-Muslims, and Aurangzeb put those taxes back on them. He then doubled the taxes of all Hindus.