THE ISLAMIC EMPIRES, 1500–1800
Although they were not
natives of India, the
Moguls established a
new dynasty by uniting
the country under a
single government with a
common culture that
blended Persian and
Indian influences. The
Mogul Empire reached
its high point under the
reign of Shāh Akbar.
POPULATION GROWTH
200
180
160
140
120
Mughal
Safavid
Ottoman
100
80
60
40
20
0
1500
1600
1700
1800
2
STATUS OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
Non-Muslim protected people: dhimmi
 Payment of special tax: jizya
 Freedom of worship, property, legal affairs
Ottoman communities: millet system of self-administration
Mughal rule: Muslims supreme, but work in tandem with
Hindus
 Under Akbar, jizya abolished
 Reaction under Aurangzeb
3
RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY
Ottoman empire: Christians, Jews
Safavid empire: Zoroastrians, Jews, Christians
Mughal empire: Hindus, Jains, Zoroastrians, Christians,
Sikhs
Mughal Akbar most tolerant
 Received Jesuits politely, but resented Christian exclusivity
 Enthusiastic about syncretic Sikhism, self-serving “divine faith”
4
THE MUGHAL EMPIRE
Now, read 370-373 – and address these questions:
How were the Moguls able to bring almost all of
India under one rule?
What was life like in Mogul society?
What led to the decline of the Mogul Empire?
5
THE MUGHAL EMPIRE
The founder of the Mogul dynasty, Bābur, invaded India through the
Khyber Pass, 1523.
Although Bābur’s army was smaller than those of his enemies in
northern India, he overwhelmed them with his advanced weaponry,
including artillery. Gunpowder technology.
Founds Mughal (Persian for Mongol) dynasty
Expands through most of Indian subcontinent
Bābur’s grandson, Akbar, extended the Mogul conquests through
southern India. Akbar’s skillful negotiating with Indian rulers helped to
establish Mogul control.
AKBAR (R. 1556-1605)
Grandson of Babur
Akbar brought almost all of India under Mogul rule.
Akbar is best known for the humane character of his rule, which helped to unify India.
Akbar was a Muslim who tolerated the religious practices of Hindus, who made up the majority of people in
India.
Akbar appointed Hindus to lower-ranking government positions in India; these positions included the
zamindars, who collected taxes.
Akbar often gave local officials farmland for their temporary use.
Wins fear and respect after throwing Adham Khan, leader of the army, out the window twice
 Second time just to make sure he was dead
Created centralized government
Religiously tolerant, promoted “divine faith”
 Syncretic form of Islam and Hinduism
7
Key Rulers of the Mogul Dynasty
Mogul Ruler
Reign
Key Facts
Shāh Jahān
1628–1658 •
•
•
Inherited a nearly empty
treasury
Increased poverty by
raising taxes to fund
military campaigns and
building projects
Built the Taj Mahal
AURANGZEB (R. 1659-1707)
Expands Mughal empire into southern India
Hostile to Hinduism
Demolished Hindu temples, replaced with mosques
Tax on Hindus to encourage conversion
10
SOCIETY AND CULTURE OF THE MOGUL EMPIRE
The nobility and the merchant class thrived during the Mogul Era,
partly due to increased foreign trade.
Child marriage and suttee remained common.
Women from the upper class could own land and receive salaries,
but many women were kept isolated according to Islamic law.
Art and architecture thrived, with a combination of Persian and
Indian styles.