Name____________________________________________
Date__________
Global 9R~Ms. Hock & Ms. Powers
Period_________
The Mughal Empire
Background: The Delhi Sultanate
After the Gupta Empire fell in 550, India again fragmented into many local kingdoms. Rival princes battled
for control of the northern plain. Despite power struggles, Indian culture flourished. Although Arabs conquered the
Indus River in 711, they advanced no farther. In about 1000, Muslim Turks and Afghans pushed into India, and
gained control. The sultan Ghur made Delhi his capital, and from then on he and his successors organized a
sultanate, or land ruled by a sultan. The Delhi sultanate lasted from 1206 to 1526, and marked the first Muslim rule
of India.
Muslim rule brought changes to Indian government and society. Sultan introduced Muslim traditions and
governments. Already living in India, some Hindus, Persians, and Arabs adopted these ways. Trade between India
and the Muslim world increased. Throughout the next centuries and into modern-day the relationship between
Hindus and Muslims will go back and forth from peaceful to tumultuous.
1. Who conquered most of India at this time? What did these individuals set-up?
2. Describe the Muslim-Hindu relationship. What do you think will happen between these two groups of
people?
Mughal India:
In 1526, Turkish and Mongol invaders again poured through the mountain passes in India. At their head
rode Babur, who claimed descent from Genghis Khan. Babur was a military genius, poet, and author.
“The sun had mounted spear-high when the onset began, and the battle lasted till midday, when the enemy
was completely broken and routed. By the grace and mercy of Almighty God, this difficult affair was made
easy to me, and that mighty army…was crushed in the dust.”
-Babur
1. Who was Babur?
2. Based on this quote, what do you think he
accomplished?
In no time, Babur swept away the remnants of the Delhi
sultanate and set-up the Mughal dynasty, which ruled
from 1526-1857.
Questions:
1. What did Babur set-up?
2. Looking at this map, describe the
extent of the Mughal Empire?
Akbar the Great:
The chief builder of the Mughal Empire was Babur’s grandson Akbar. During his long reign, from 1556-1605,
he created a strong central government, earning the title Akbar the Great. Akbar was a leader of unusual
abilities. Although a Muslim, he won the support of Hindu subjects through the policy of toleration. He opened
government jobs to Hindus of all castes and treated Hindu princes as his partners in ruling his vast empire. He
ended the tax on non-Muslims and married a Hindu princess.
Akbar could not read or write, but he consulted leaders of many faiths, including Muslims, Hindus,
Buddhists, and Christians. Like the early Indian leader Asoka, he hoped to promote religious harmony through
toleration. Akbar also strengthened his empire in other ways. To improve government, he used paid officials in
place of hereditary officeholders. He modernized the army, encouraged international trade, standardized
weights and measures, and introduced land reforms.
Questions:
1. Who was the chief builder of the Mughal
Empire?
2. Name 5 ways in which Akbar the Great
advanced his empire.
3. What is so significant about this painting?
Akbar the Great enjoys a
performance of traditional Hindu
dance
Akbar’s Successors:
The high point of Mughal literature, art, and architecture came with the reign of Akbar’s grandson, Shah
Jahan. When his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died at age 39, he was distraught. He then had this stunning tomb built for
her, the Taj Mahal. It was designed in Persian style, with spectacular white domes. Verses from the Quran adorned
its walls. In the late 1600’s, the emperor Aurangzeb rejected Akbar’s tolerant policies and resumed persecution of
Hindus.
1. What is significant about Shah Jahan’s reign?
2. How did Aurangzeb go against his great grandfather Akbar?