The Mughal Empire
T
he Great Mughal Empire was established in 1526
CE by Babur, after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the
Battle of Panipat. Babur was a descendant of Timur
and Genghis Khan but was ousted from his ancestral
domains and hence, turned his attention towards
Delhi. Though he managed to capture Delhi, he was
unable to consolidate his rule in the region due to
frequent revolts. He was succeeded by his son,
Humayun.
helped his kingdom develop a strong and stable
economy. Akbar is very well known for his
Humayun tried to consolidate his rule in the kingdom. However, he was driven out by Sher Shah Suri’s
forces and was forced to seek refuge with the Shah
of Persia, who helped him conquer Kabul and Kandahar. Humayun appointed Bairam Khan and placed
the command of his army under Khan’s able leadership due to which he was able to re-conquer his
empire. After Humayun’s death, his son Akbar took
charge of the infant Mughal Empire.
India under Aurangzeb’s Rule
Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/c/cb/The_Mughal_Empire.jpg
religious tolerance. He founded the religion, Din-iIlahi, which imbibed the teachings of mainly Islam
and Hinduism but also included teachings of Jainism,
Christianity and Zoroastrianism. Akbar’s son,
Jehangir succeeded him upon his death. Jehangir
ruled the Mughal Empire at its peak. He built on
Akbar’s foundation of excellent administration. He
was a patron of arts and architecture and his rule
saw impressive cultural achievements along with
stability and a strong economy. He was succeeded
by his son, Shah Jahan.
The Mughal Empire
http://www.paradoxplace.com/Insights/Civilizations/Mughals/
Mughal_Images/Mughal%20Empire%20BR.jpg
Akbar, also known as Akbar the Great, was only 13
years old when he ascended the throne of the
Mughal Empire. Bairam Khan ruled as his regent and
was able to consolidate the empire. Akbar expanded
the Mughal Empire through warfare and diplomacy.
He intensified trade with European companies which
Under Shah Jahan’s rule, India became the richest
centre for arts, crafts and architecture. The Mughal
Empire had the world’s highest gross domestic
produce. He was placed under house arrest in 1659
CE by his son and successor, Aurangzeb, after a
rebellion for the throne. It was during this time that
the Taj Mahal was built. Aurangzeb succeeded Shah
Jahan to the throne of the Mughal Empire after a
war of succession with his brothers. He was a notable
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expansionist. He managed to bring almost all of
South India under his rule. He was a strong and
effective ruler and also, a staunch follower of Islam.
He died in 1707 CE. After his death, the great period
of the Mughal Empire ended as centralized control
declined under the rule of his successors.
People and Culture
Architecture was a major contribution of the
Mughals to India. Many major monuments are a fine
example of Mughal architecture like the Taj Mahal,
Humayun’s Tomb, the Red Fort, Agra Fort, Fatehpur
Sikri and Lahore Fort among others. A centralized
and imperial government brought many smaller
kingdoms together. Indian art and architecture amalgamated with that of Persia to create what we now
know as Mughal art and architecture.
Gyarah Sidi (Eleven Steps) –
Remains of Observatory built by Humayun
Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/
b6/Gyarah_Siddi.jpg/400px-Gyarah_Siddi.jpg
were known for their liberal ideologies and administered accordingly, without the interference of religion in the affairs of the state. Technology also
developed well under the Mughals. One such
example is a volley gun developed by Farzullah
Shirazi, a Persian polymath and mechanical engineer
employed by Akbar. Mughal art reached its peak
under the rule of Jehangir. India became the richest
cultural centre for arts, architecture and crafts.
Jiziya, a head tax to be paid by non-Muslims in a
Muslim state, was abolished by Akbar. It was reinstated by Aurangzeb. Overall, culture, arts, crafts
and architecture developed tremendously under the
Mughal rule.
Fatehpur Sikri – Ornamental Pool
Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons
/c/c1/Fatehpur_Sikri,_Ornamental_Pool_(6261865270).jpg
Politics and Administration
Learning and knowledge also benefitted from the
Mughals. Humayun built an observatory near Delhi
that housed instruments and observational techniques of the Islamic tradition.
A seamless celestial globe is a remarkable astronomic instrument in this observatory. Many learned
scholars came to the courts of the Mughal rulers to
share their knowledge. Learning and arts received
grants from Mughal emperors. Akbar and Jehangir
Mughal rulers laid the foundation of a sound administrative system in India upon which the British built
further. Sher Shah Suri, a ruler of the Afghan Suri
Dynasty who captured Delhi from Humayun, ruled
from 1540 CE to 1545 CE during which he provided
the future Mughal king, Akbar, with an ‘administrative blueprint’. Akbar built a strong administrative
system at the provincial and state level. This system
was followed by his successors. He established the
masabdari system. The mansabdars were nobility
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empire grew with the flouring trade and economy
and became important trade centres.
Srinagar, Lahore, Thatta, Karachi, Cambay, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bombay, Poona, Goa, Calicut, Nagapattam, Kanchipuram, Madras, Masulipattam, Delhi,
Agra, Lucknow and Murshidabad grew to become
some of the important trade centres of the Mughal
kingdom.
Land and river transportation systems for inland
trade were established. New roads were built and
existing roads were extended and enlarged. An
important road from Sonargaon in Bengal to Lahore
was built during the period of the Great Mughals.
Various sea ports enabled trade relations with Arab
countries such as Persia and Egypt, South East Asia
and China. Horses were imported from West Asia,
Silver from Japan and Gold from the East Indies. Toys
and luxury items from Europe were in demand.
Mughal Painting from the 17th Century CE
Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/
58/Meister_des_Rasikapriy%C3%A2-Manuskripts_001.jpg
Coinage
who were deputed jagirs by the emperor. The
emperor held the power to confer, decrease,
increase and re-designate jagirs to a mansab.
Mansabdari was not hereditary.
The mansabs were rendered duties in the civil or
military sectors. They were graded from a commander of 10 to a commander of 5000. Akbar
granted masnsabdari based on merit. The empire
was divided into provinces for revenue collection and
administration of justice. Akbar divided the kingdom
into 12 provinces and was raised to 18 and 20 during
Aurangzeb’s reign. Provinces were further divided
into sarkars(districts) and parganas(sub-districts). A
pargana was made up of several villages. Each village
had a head for administering justice.
Trade, Economy ad Coinage
The Mughal Empire witnessed a huge growth in
trade and commerce. The economy stabilised under
Akbar administration. The towns and cities in the
All the Great Mughal Emperors issued coins in Gold,
Silver and Copper fabrics. The variety seen in these
coins are not seen in the issues of previous and
contemporary rulers. Babur issued Silver Tankas in
Shahrukhi style while Humayun issued Silver
Shahrukhi and Sasnus.
Ram-Siya Coin issued by Akbar
Image Source: http://www.cngcoins.com/photos/big/83002001.jpg
Akbar issued a wide variety of coins throughout his
reign.Coins were issued in various types such as the
Kalima, Ilahi, Ram-Siya, coins with bird motif and
Mehrabi type. Kalima type coins were issued early
during Akbar’s reign. These coins are characterised
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by the Kalima being inscribed on one side of the coin.
The Ilahi type coins were issued after Akbar founded
Din-i-Ilahi. The Ram-Siya type coins bear motifs of
Ram and Sita on the obverse and Persian legend on
the reverse. These coins are extremely rare today.
The Mehrabi is a coin with a special shape and bears
inscription stating the Kalima. Mehrabis were issued
in gold.
issued in his wife, Nur Jahan’s name during his reign.
Jenhagir issued silver coins with 20% more weight in
silver. These coins were called Jehangiri. He also
issued silver coins that contained 25% more weight
in silver. These coins were called sawai.
Zodiac Coins issued by Jehangir
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Zodiac Coins issued by Jehangir
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Mehrabi Coin issued by Akbar
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Jehangir issued coins bearing his father, Akbar’s
portrait after the latter died. He also issued coins
bearing couplets inscribed on both sides. This stands
Zodiac Coins issued by Jehangir
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Jehangiri issued by Jehangir from Ahmedabad
Image Source: http://www.acsearch.info/image.html?id=693784
testament to Jehangir’s love for poetry. He also
issued coins bearing the twelve zodiac signs. These
coins were issued in gold and silver. Coins were also
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Gold Mohur issued by Shahjahan
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Shah Jahan issued gold mohurs and silver rupees
bearing his name.
Mughal coinage is rich not only in the wide variety
of coins issued by rulers, but also the handiwork of
mint masters. Such art and variety is not seen in
coinage issued by any other dynasty.
Bibliography
Gold Mohur issued at Akbar Nagar Mint
by Aurangzeb
1.
http://en.wikipedia.org/
2.
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/
3.
Coins by Parmeshwari Lal Gupta – ISBN 978-81-237-1887-3
4.
History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra – ISBN 978-81250-3226-7
5.
http://www.mughalindia.co.uk/
6.
http://www.importantindia.com/
Image Source: http://www.acsearch.info/image.html?id=1949213
Aurangzeb banned the inscription of the Kalima on
his coins and instead inscribed couplets and julus
formula on them. His coins include name of the mint
where the coin was issued, the year in which it was
issued, the ruler’s name and regnal year. The coin
depicted above bears a couplet the name of the mint
where it was issued.
Disclaimer
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