1. The Mughal Empire in India

2. Beginnings Descendants of Genghis Khan & Tamerlane
~1000: Turkish armies invade India & establish the Delhi Sultanate
Treat Hindus as conquered peoples
Rule from Delhi for nearly 400 years
1398: Tamerlane destroys the city
1494: Babur establishes foundation for Mughal Empire
Excellent general

3. Akbar Known as the “Great” Military: Aggressive commander
Rules for almost 50 years
Military: Aggressive commander
Used artillery to conquer many walled cities
Political: Appointed rajputs as officers = allies & unification
Empire of 100 million people

4. Akbar (cont.) Allowed religious freedom
Married Hindus w/o conversion
Abolished the tax for non-Muslims
Everyone could rise to a high government post
Leads to quality leadership
Ex: fair income tax system = massive wealth
Land policies prevented development of a feudal system
Akbar (cont.)

5. Culture
Welcomed emissaries from all over the world = cultural diffusion
Languages: Persian, Hindi, & Urdu
Books & miniature paintings flourished
Revival in Hindu literature
Poem of Ramayana
Architecture: Massive, intricate stone structures
Akbar period architecture

6. Successors
Jahangir, Akbar’s son, let wife rule state affairs = an iron hand
Princess Nur Jahan
Brilliant politician & real ruler of India
Dispute with Khusrau (son) leads to religious conflict
Turns to the Sikhs (nonviolent religious group)
Target of Mughal hatred

7. Shah Jahan Successor to Jahangir Assassinated all political rivals
Passion for buildings & his wife, Mumtaz Mahal
1631: Mahal dies giving birth
Commissions a beautiful tomb to be built for her = the Taj Mahal

9. Suffering People suffer greatly under Jahan’s rule
Famine & high taxes to facilitate ruler’s lifestyle
1657: Jahan becomes ill and a civil war b/w his sons erupts over power
Aurangzeb kills oldest brother & imprisons father

10. Aurangzeb Master strategist & builder Expands empire to greatest size
Empire’s power weakens = oppressive
Outlawed many activities & appointed censors
Brings back tax on non-Muslims
Outraged Hindus = rebellion
Birth of Marathas
Levies high taxes to pay for war = more problems w/ more territory gained

11. Mughal Empire (c. 1700)

12. Decline & Decay Empire drained of resources 2 million+ die from famine
Power shift: Local rulers gain power
War of succession upon Aurangzeb’s death
Mughal Emperor now rules a patchwork of independent states
European traders establish posts in India
Aurangzeb gives them the port of Bombay
Decline & Decay