Mughal Empire

1. Introduction

The Mughal Empire was one of the largest, wealthiest, and culturally advanced empires in Indian history. It ruled major parts of India for more than 300 years and is among the most important Medieval India topics for SSC GD.

Time Period

1526 CE – 1857 CE

Founder

Babur

Capital

Agra → Delhi → Shahjahanabad

2. Major Mughal Rulers (SSC GD Focus)

Emperor	Reign	Known For
Babur	1526–1530	Founder; First Battle of Panipat
Humayun	1530–1540 & 1555–56	Lost empire; regained with Persian help
Akbar	1556–1605	Greatest Mughal ruler; policies of tolerance
Jahangir	1605–1627	Justice; Nur Jahan's influence
Shah Jahan	1628–1658	Golden Age of architecture; Taj Mahal
Aurangzeb	1658–1707	Expansionist; last strong Mughal ruler

Memory Trick:

"B-H-A-J-S-A" → Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb

3. Detailed Ruler Information

3.1 Babur (1526–1530)

Founder of Mughal Empire from Fergana (Uzbekistan). Wrote autobiography Tuzuk-i-Baburi.

Important Battles:

1st Battle of Panipat (1526) - Defeated Ibrahim Lodi
Battle of Khanwa (1527) - Defeated Rana Sanga
Battle of Ghagra (1529)

Key Points:

Used gunpowder, artillery, and cannons (first time in India)
Invited by Rana Sanga's opponents

3.2 Humayun (1530–1540 & 1555–1556)

Kind but weak ruler who lost the empire to Sher Shah Suri (1540) and regained it in 1555 with Persian help.

Key Points:

Lived in Persia (Iran) for 15 years
Died after falling down stairs from his library

Books:

Biography written by daughter Gulbadan Begum → Humayun-nama

3.3 Sher Shah Suri (Suri Dynasty – 1540–1545)

NOT a Mughal but an important exam topic. His rule laid foundation for Akbar's administration.

Contributions:

Introduced Rupiya (currency)
Built Grand Trunk Road (GT Road)
Efficient administration
Land revenue reforms

3.4 Akbar (1556–1605) – The Greatest Mughal Ruler

Became king at age 13 with Bairam Khan as regent. Known for religious tolerance and administrative reforms.

Major Policies:

Religious Policies:

Introduced Sulh-i-Kul (universal tolerance)
Abolished Jizya tax
Married Rajput princess
Included Hindus in administration

Din-i-Ilahi:

A new religious idea blending multiple religions
Very few followers
Founded for peace & unity

Administration:

Mansabdari System:

Officers ranked by Mansab (position)
Introduced grading of soldiers, horses

Revenue System:

Land revenue system by Todar Mal
Based on land measurement

Navratnas (9 Jewels):

Birbal, Tansen, Todar Mal, Abul Fazl, Faizi

Memory Trick: "BTT-AF" → Birbal, Tansen, Todar Mal, Abul Fazl, Faizi

3.5 Jahangir (1605–1627)

Son of Akbar, known as "Shahenshah of Justice". Married Nur Jahan (very powerful queen).

Important Events:

Captain Hawkins & Sir Thomas Roe visited his court
Wrote autobiography Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri

3.6 Shah Jahan (1628–1658)

Known as "Prince of Builders". Golden age of Mughal architecture.

Major Monuments:

Taj Mahal (Agra)
Red Fort (Delhi)
Jama Masjid
Shalimar Gardens
Peacock Throne

Other Points:

Shifted capital from Agra → Shahjahanabad (Delhi)

3.7 Aurangzeb (1658–1707)

Last powerful Mughal ruler. Strict, orthodox ruler who re-imposed Jizya tax.

Constant wars with:

Marathas
Sikhs
Rajputs
Deccan kingdoms

Decline Begins:

Heavy military expenses
Rebellions
Weak successors

4. Mughal Administration (Very Important)

Office	Role
Wazir	Prime Minister
Mir Bakshi	Army chief
Diwan-i-Risalat	Religious matters
Sadr-us-Sudur	Charity
Qazi	Judge

Mansabdari System:

Ranking of officers with temporary land assignments called Jagirs.

5. Mughal Architecture (SSC GD Favourite)

Monument	Built By	Location
Taj Mahal	Shah Jahan	Agra
Red Fort	Shah Jahan	Delhi
Jama Masjid	Shah Jahan	Delhi
Fatehpur Sikri	Akbar	UP
Humayun's Tomb	Akbar (for Humayun)	Delhi
Buland Darwaza	Akbar	Fatehpur Sikri
Shalimar Bagh	Jahangir	Kashmir

Architecture Style:

Indo-Islamic + Persian influence

6. Decline of Mughal Empire

Reason	Explanation
Weak successors	After Aurangzeb
Too large empire	Hard to control
Continuous wars	Deccan, Marathas
Foreign invasions	Nadir Shah
Rise of new powers	British, Sikhs, Marathas
Economic crisis	High taxes

Later Mughal Rulers (1707–1857):

Bahadur Shah I, Farrukhsiyar, Muhammad Shah Rangeela

Last Mughal Emperor: Bahadur Shah Zafar - Exiled to Burma after 1857 revolt

7. Quick Facts & Summary

Art, Culture & Literature

Miniature paintings
Persian language promoted
Akbarnama & Ain-i-Akbari by Abul Fazl
Jahangir was a great lover of art

Economy of Mughal Empire

Agriculture → Main source
Land revenue system (Zabt system)
Trade (silk, spices, cotton)
Coins: Rupiya, Gold Mohur
Ports: Surat, Masulipatnam, Hoogly

1. Introduction

2. Major Mughal Rulers (SSC GD Focus)

Memory Trick:

3. Detailed Ruler Information

3.1 Babur (1526–1530)

Important Battles:

Key Points:

3.2 Humayun (1530–1540 & 1555–1556)

Key Points:

Books:

3.3 Sher Shah Suri (Suri Dynasty – 1540–1545)

Contributions:

3.4 Akbar (1556–1605) – The Greatest Mughal Ruler

Major Policies:

Religious Policies:

Din-i-Ilahi:

Administration:

Mansabdari System:

Revenue System:

Navratnas (9 Jewels):

3.5 Jahangir (1605–1627)

Important Events:

3.6 Shah Jahan (1628–1658)

Major Monuments:

Other Points:

3.7 Aurangzeb (1658–1707)

Constant wars with:

Decline Begins:

4. Mughal Administration (Very Important)

Mansabdari System:

5. Mughal Architecture (SSC GD Favourite)

Architecture Style:

6. Decline of Mughal Empire

Later Mughal Rulers (1707–1857):

7. Quick Facts & Summary

Art, Culture & Literature

Economy of Mughal Empire

Master Mughal Empire for Competitive Exams!