1. Mughal Empire in India

2. Origins
Mughals- means Mongols, descended from a combo of Muslim Turks, Afghans, and Genghis Khan
Originally Muslim vs. Hindu conflicts
Turkish warlords called the Delhi Sultanate conquered Hindus between 13th and 16th centuries
Many sultans ruled including Timur the Lame, who destroyed main city of Delhi

3. Babur- Founder
11 year old boy inherited territory in present day Uzbekistan/Tajikistan
Slowly swept down through India
Brilliant general
Defeated a Delhi Sultanate army, outnumbered 12,000 to 100,000
Although lineage lost most of the territory, the Mughal Empire stage was set

4. Akbar- Part 1 Grandson of Babur led Mughal Empire to Golden Age
Philosophy- aggressive King with military power
Utilized cannons and gunpowder
Smart- often allowed rajputs (Hindu military personnel) to be officers

5. Akbar- Part 2 Liberal Leader
Cultural blending- tolerant of Hindus, did not force them to convert
Natives and foreigners could have political power
Fair and affordable graduated income tax
Language and Culture- creation of Urdu, language of present-day Pakistan
Miniatures- highly detailed art, Akbarnamah told the rise of Akbar
Architecture was grand and had Hindu themes

6. Akbar’s Successors- Jahangir
Wife had most of power, Nur Jahan
Rejected one son, led to religious tension… Islam vs. Sikhs (religious group that combined Hinduism and Sufism)... Protected the banished son which led to torture of Sikh leader
Set stage for future religious intolerance

7. Akbar’s Successors- Shah Jahan
Assassinated all rivals to get crown
Best time period for architecture
Taj Mahal- built as dedicated to wife’s memory
Focused on Taj Mahal and art, people suffered from famine and taxes

8. Akbar’s Successors- Aurangzeb
Took control through civil war and executed brother
Grew empire to largest size, but power was weakened
Strictly enforced Islam, taxed non-Muslims heavily, rejected Hindus
Led to Sikhs becoming a brotherhood of warriors
Resources in empire were shot, Aurangzeb died, sons ruled poorly

9. The West European traders began settling the region
Portuguese and Dutch came first for trade
French and English came next
Aurangzeb gave them the Port of Bombay…
Key to controlling India

10. In Review Mid-16th Century to Mid-19th Century
Mix of religious tolerance and intolerance (Aurangzeb)
Culture, economic, and political success and failures
Relatively strong militarily
Ultimate demise in 1850s by Europe- British trade!