1. Mughal Empire and its founders

2. The transition from Sultanate to Mughal Period c. 1500s
The integration of South Asia into the Mughal domains was very gradual
Mughal rule was built not only on the surviving administrative features of the Sultanate, but also traditions borrowed from Central Asia’s Timurid states (see Map)
By the time the Mughals come to India in 1526, Sultanate culture had become indigenized to a vast extent

4. Sultanate-era Influences
Adoption of Indian language, dress, cultural norms among the Afghan-Turkish elite
Intermarriage between ruling families
The use of Persianate vocabulary in common speech
The existence of composite theological borrowings, but also of new traditions that went beyond a hybrid or syncretic approach, ex. Sikhism and Guru Nanak
The Imperial structure of the empire was laid by the third Emperor, Akbar, but the reign of the first two emperors is very significant to understanding the choices made by Akbar.

5. Zahir –ud-din Mohamad Babur, b.1484/ r. 1526-1530
Ruler of the Farghana Valley in Afghanistan, descended from both Timur (Tamerlame) and Ghengis Khan. He comes to the throne at age 12.
Early rule in Afghanistan beset with troubles with the Uzbeki tribe, and occasional support by the Persian Emperor Shah Ismail. By the time he was 15, he would have won and lost Ferghana twice, and eventually started a new kingdom in Kabul.
Intimate knowledge of his life from Baburnama, Begum Gulbadan’s work, other histories

6. Babur reading his memoirs

7. Babur’s life appears heavily influenced by some of the changes sweeping through the Timurid Khanates
Persianization of culture, shift from peripatetic to fixed courts
Early adoption of Guns and canons to cavalry and siege tactics
The new emphasis on courtly life mirroring the cultivation of an inner spiritual, aesthetic, cultivated world (sp. Use of Persian)
Close relationships among the young begs, Turkish/timurid nobility

8. Ferghana Valley

9. Early Conquests and motivations
Clearly not as concerned about creating an empire as on reclaiming the Fergana valley
Intentions towards South Asia were mixed
In 1519 Babur first invades India, seizes Bajaur in the Northwest, but goes no further. He sends an envoy to Ibrahim Lodi, the Sultan at Delhi to give him the Panjab province, but gets no reply.
Successive battles in Kabul and Lahore, defending his own territories distract Babur from his original target.

10. First Battle of Panipat, April 21 1526
Early capitulation of the governor of Lahore crucial
Odds of Mughal victory uneven—about men v. Lodi army of about 100, 000 plus 1000 war elephants
Strategy was innovative and relied on new cannons and flanking cavalry movements
Treasure from the Lodi conquests very important to attracting help from other Turkish Begs, securing main cities of Delhi and Agra

11. Babur’s Short Reign
Sources reflect the efforts of attempting to adapt to new, south asian environment were difficult
Considerable worries about the support of the Begs that mirror the problems of the iqta system
Babur does put in considerable effort into sorting out questions of succession and division of duties within the royal family
Attempts to collect information about local customs, society, flora, fauna
Plants new gardens, orders the creation of new buildings that signal an acceptance of India as the new base of his empire
Short and unexpected death curtail Babur’s plans and also our knowledge of his intentions.

12. Humayun, 1508/r
Babar’s fours sons—Humayun, Kamran, Askari, and Hindal all compete with each other, even though they inherit different regions in the north west.
Humayun himself relies on persuasion rather than orders
Women of the court take a primary role in mediating disputes, making alliances, preserving the Empire
Humayun has to deal with simultaneous rebellions in Gujrat and Bihar, along with troubles with his brothers
Makes the fatal error of moving too many troops to Gujrat, allowing Sher Shah Suri of Bihar to quickly establish control over the east

13. Conq. by Babur
Base for Suri

14. How Humayun lost his Empire
In 1535 moves to Gujrat to annex kingdom of Bahadur Shah, has useful seaports
During the next five years Sher Shah Suri uses his base in Bihar to forge an Afghan-Rajput alliance and capture Bengal
Humayun marches back to the Gangetic plain and loses key battles in Chausa (1539) and Kanauj (1540)
Goes to Persia in exile.

16. Who is Sher Shah Suri?
Sher Shah completely reorganizes the ‘iqta system, and classifies and records the land assignments.
He encourages trade by making roads, carvanserais (rest-stops), and imposing law and order on major trade routes.
For five short years, , his conquests are brought into the framework of a well-run state.
When Sher Shah dies, his descendent are unable to hold on to their gains.
His reforms are copied by Akbar

17. Humayun’s comeback Long years of exile in Persia
Birth of Akbar and influence of this early period
Struggles of Humayun with addiction to alcohol and opium—delegation of powers to important Begs (chiefs), Begums (Royal Women)
1555, with help of Begs and Persian Emperor, new in-laws regains Afghanistan, Lahore
Difficult choices about Kamran
Sudden death in fall from library steps

18. Consequences of these Early Years
Great emphasis within the family of preserving Timurid traditions, particularly among women, yet ambivalent feelings on this by Akbar, Humayun’s successor
Signals early power struggle between family, Begs, and Emperor
Explains some of the innovative and radical choices made by Akbar in his own reforms

19. Influences on Akbar
Designation of an heir, their education and mentoring, emphasis on “hands-on” experience
Emphasis on adapting to local, south Asian traditions
Balancing the influence of family with a bureaucratic administration
Emphasizing a cult of loyalty to the emperor
Perhaps even explains his ambivalent relationships with Timurid origins, esp. female relatives