INDIAN HISTORY

Mughal Period (1526-40 and 1555-1857)  The Mughals were originally Turks.  They belonged to the Chaghtai branch of the Turkish race.  Period of the is known as Second Classical Age. Fast Classical Age is the period of Guptas.  Mughal Empire is also known as Timurid Empire because of its relation to Amir Timur.  are 20 in number. They ruled from 1526-1857. Only six are considered great.

LIST OF MUGHAL EMPERORS

Reign Emperor Important Points to Remember Period  He was the founder of Mughal Rule.  His capital was .  He was the fourteenth direct descendant of Chengiz Khan(from the side of his mother) and fifth of Timur’s(from the side of his father).  He was born in Farghana in Turkey on 14th Feb, 1483 as the son of Umer Sheik Mirza and Qulik Nigarkhanum.  became the ruler of Samarkhandbat the age of 11.  He captured Kabul in 1504.  Babur’s first Attack of India was in 1519, Bhera was the first place captured by Babur.  In 1524 Daulat Khan, ’s brother invited Babur to India.  On 21st April, 1526, He defeated Ibrahim Lodhi, the last Lodhi Sultan in the and established Mughal dynasty.  On 16th March, 1527, he defeated of Mewar in the battle Babur 1526-30 of .  In 1528, he defeated Medini Rai of Chaneri in the battle of .  In 1529, he defeated Muhammad Lodhi (uncle of Ibrahim Lodhi) in the battle of Ghaghra.  In 1530 Dec 26, he died at . Babur’s tomb is at Kabul.  He wrote his autobiography Tuzuk-i-Baburi in Turkish Babur’s mothertongue. Tuzuk-i-Baburi was translated in Persian (named ) by Abdul Rahim Khan-e-khanan and in English by Madam Bevridge.  Babur said “I don’t like India and Indians.”  He also wrote Risal-i-Usaz or letters of Babur.  Babur was the first Mugahl ruler to keep in hand the Kohinur Diamond.  Babur was a contemporary of Krishnadeva Raya of Vijaya Nagara Empire.

Uploaded by https://westbengalgovtjobs.com/ Page 1

INDIAN HISTORY

was born in 1507 in Kabul as the son of Babur and Mahim Sulthana.  The word ‘Humayun’ means ‘fortunate’.  He was an accomplished mathematician and astronomer.  Reign interrupted by Suri Dynasty. Humayun 1530-40  He was son of Babur.  He fought two battles against Sher Shah in the (1539) and in the battle of Kannauj/Bilgram(1540) and was completely defeated by him and founded Sur Dynasty. Humayun escaped to Iran where he passed 12 years. NO MUGHAL RULE The period from 1540-55 is known as the Period of Temporary Eclipse of Mughal. Sher Shah(1540-1545)  He was the son of Hasan Khan, the Jagirdar of Sasaram.  In 1539, he defeated Humayun in the battle of Chausa and assumed the title Sher Shah as emperor.  In 1540, he defeated Humayun in the battle of Kannauj/Bilgram and annexed Kannauj.  He issued the gold coin called Asrafi, silver coin called Rupia and copper coin called Dam and fixed standard weights and measures all Suri Dynasty 1540-55 over the empire.  He built the Grand Trunk Road( Sarak-i-Ajam), that runs from Calcutta to Peshawar.  The peasant was given a patta(title deed) and a qabuliyat( deed of agreement) which fixed the peasant’s rights and taxes.  Humayun started the construction of Purana Quila at Delhi and Sher Shah completed.  Sher Shah was succeeded by Islam Shah(1545-54); Islam Shah by Muhammad Adil Shah(1554-55).  His commander-in-chief was Bramhajit Gour.  Total 47 parganas were in the Shershah’s capital.

 After Sher Shah’s death Humayun invaded India 1555 and defeated his brothers and Afghans.  He died while climbing down the stairs of his library ‘Shermandal’ at Purana Qila (at Din Panah) on 24 Jan, 1556.  His sister Gulbadan Begum, wrote his biography Humayunama. The language used to write this biography was a mixture of Turkish and Persian.  Humayun built Din Panah city at Delhi in 1533 as his second capital. Humayun 1555-56  Humayun’s tomb is situated in Delhi(first building of India having double domes).  Humayun Tomb is known as predecessor of Tajmahal( prototype of Tajmahal), because Taj was modeled after this, also known as a dormitory of the house of Timur. Mirza Ghias is its architect.

Uploaded by https://westbengalgovtjobs.com/ Page 2

INDIAN HISTORY

 Father- Humauyn, Mother- Hamida Bhanu Begum, Step Mother- Magam Anaga, Guardian- , First Guardian- Munim Khan.  was born at Amarkot in Sindh on 23rd Nov, 1542.  He came to the throne on 14th Feb, 1556 at the age of 14 at Kalanur, Punjub.  (5 Nov, 1556) was fought between (the Hindu General of Muhammad Adil Shah) and Bairam Khan(the regent of Akbar). Hemu was defeated. This war ended the Mughal-Afgan contest for the throne of Delhi.  Akbar became independent ruler at the age of 18 in 1560, after dismissing Bairan Khan. He divided his empire into 12 Subas(Pradesh)  In 1561, he defeated the musician Sultan of Malwa- Baz Bahadur.  In 1563, he abolished the Pilgrimage Tax.  In 1564, he abolished the religious tax Jaziya. Jaziya was imposed for the first time by Firozshah Tughlaq.  Akbar built (1572), , and Fort and Humayun’s Tomb at Delhi. Fatehpur Sikri, place near Agra- it is said that Akbar had no son for a long time. Sheikh Salim Chisti, a Sufi saint blessed Akbar with a son was named Salim/Sheikho Baba( ). In honour of Salim Chisti, Akbar (was Akbar shifted his court from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri. Buland one of the Darwaza is the gateway of Fatehpur Sikri, built by Akbar to youngest 1556-1605 rulers. Became remarkable the victory of Gujrat. ruler at the age  In 1574, he introduced Mansabadari System. The term ‘mansab’ of 13) means office, position or rank.  In 1575, Akbar constructed a prayer house in Fatehpur Sikri known as .  The (1576) was fought between Rana Pratap of Mewar and Mughal army Led by Man Singh of Amer. Rana Pratap was defeated.  In 1579, he issued the Infallibility Decree by which he made himself the supreme head in religious matter.  In 1580 the first Jesuit missionaries arrived at the court of Akbar.  In 1585 Ralph Fitch the first English man to reach India, reached Akbar’s court. Ralph Fitch is known as pioneer of Englishman ortorch bearer Englishman.  In 1582, Akbar proclaimed a new religion, Din-i-Ilahi (means Devine Faith). Birbal was the only Hindu who followed his new religion.  Navaratna i.e. nine jewels of Akbar: Birbal : His original name was Mahesh Das. He was the court jester of Akbar. Abul Fazal : Akbar’s Court historian who wrote Akbar’s biographical works Ain-i-Akbari( Land Revenue System, in Turkish language ) and Akbarnama. Abul Faizi : Persian poet and brother of Abul Fazal. He translated Mahabharata into Persian in name ‘Razamnama’ and Uploaded by https://westbengalgovtjobs.com/ Page 3

INDIAN HISTORY

Bhaskaracharya’s mathematical work Leelavati into Persian. Todarmal : He was the Finance or Revenue Minister of Akbar. He formulated Akbar’s revenue system Dahsala Bandobast(in 1580) and Jabti. Raja Todarmal also translated Bhagabata Purana into Persian. Man Singh : Akbar’s military commander. Tansen : He was the court musician of Akbar. Abdul Rahim Khanekhana, Bhagwandas Badauni : A historian who translated Ramayana into Persian.  Tulsidas, the writer of Ramcharitamanas also lived during Akbar’s period.  Akbar is considered ‘the real founder of the Mughal Empire’ in India.  Akbar was the Mughal Emperor when English East India Company was being founded in 1600, Dec 31.  Akbar died in 1605. His tomb is situated at Sikhandra near Agra.  He was the first ruler to organize Hajj, pilgrimage at the govt expense. The port Cambay in is known as the Gateway to Mecca from Mugal India.

 Early name Salim, came to throne after Akbar’s death in 1605. He issued 12 ordinances. He was the son of Akbarand Jodabai.  He is known for his strict administration of justice. He established Zanjir-i-Adal or Zndiri Ada(i.e. Chain of Justice) at Agra Fort for the seekers of royal justice.  In 1611, Jahangir married Mihar-un-nisa, widow of Sher Afgan, later she was given the title Nurjahan( light of the world). Nurjahan exercised tremendous influence over the state affairs. She was made the office Padshah Begum.  In 1606, Jahangir executed fifth Sikh Guru Arjun Dev, because he helped Jahangir’s son Prince Khusru to rebel against him.  In 1608, Captain William Hawkins, a representative of East India Company with recommendation of King James I, came to Jahangir 1605-27 Jahangir’s court.  In 1615 Sir Thomas Roe, first ambassador of King James I, reached jahangir’s court.  Period of Jahangir is considered as the Golden Age of . Jahangir himself was a painter. Ustad Mansur and Abul Hassan were famous painter in the court of Jahangir.  Jahangir built Shalimar Garden(called Farah Baksh(the delightful), for his wife ) in Sarinagar. Nishat Garden built in 1633 by Asif Khan, elder brother of Nur Jehan  Anarkali was Jahangir’s lover. Mughal-i-Asam directed by K. Asif is a famous film which tells the love story of Jahangir and Anarkali.  Jahangir wrote his autobiography Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri in Persian language.  He died in 1627 and was cremated at Shahdhara in Lahore.

Uploaded by https://westbengalgovtjobs.com/ Page 4

INDIAN HISTORY

 Shahjahan was born on 5th January 1592 at Lahore. His mother was Jagat Gosai/Jodha Bai. His childhood name was Khurram.  He was best known for his Deccan and foreign policies.  In 1631, he started the construction of in memory of his wife Mumtaj and completed in 1653. It is situated on the banks of river in UP. Ustad Ahmad (a.k.a. ), an architect in the court of from Lahore designed Tajmahal. British administrator Furguson called it ‘A love in marble’.  In 1638 he built his new capital Shahjanabad in Delhi and shifted capital from Agra to Delhi.  In 1639 he started the construction of in Delhi on the model of Agra Fort built by Akbar. The Diwan-i-Am, Shah Jahan 1627-58 Diwan-i-Khas and Moti Masjid are situated inside the Red Fort. The Gateway of Red Fort is Lahore Gate.  Under him, Mughal Art and Architecture reached their zenith; this period is known as Golden Age of and he is known as Prince of Builders.  He constructed the Taj Mahal, Jama Masjid(in 1656, it is the biggest masjid in India) , Red Fort, Jahangir mausoleum, and Shalimar Gardens in Lahore.  Shahjahan’s son Dhara Shukoe was a famous scholar. He translated Bhagabat Gita, sixty Upanishad and Atharva Veda into Persian.  The famous Peacock Throne was built by Shahjahan. It was abducted from here by Nadirsha in 1739.  He died in the captivity of his son .  Aurangazeb imprisoned his father and made himself the Padushah in 1658 by a family war with his brothers(Dara, Suja, and Murad).  Aurangazeb was crowned at Delhi under the title of Alamgir in 1659.  Aurangazeb is known as Zinda Pir or Living Saint because of his simple life.  In 1675, he executed 9th Sikh Guru Guru Teg Bahadur at Chandni Chauk when he refused to embrace Islam. The 10th and last Sikh 1658- Guru, , son of Guru Teg Bahadur, organized Aurangzeb 1707 his followers into community of warrior called Khalsa to fight the Muslim tyranny and avenge the killing of his father. Guru Gobind Singh was, however assassinated in 1708 by an Afghan at Deccan. Banda Bahadur, a trusted disciple of Guru Gobind Singh continued the war against Mughals.  In 1679 Aurangazeb constructed the tomb of his only wife Rubiad Daurani at Aurangabad in Maharashtra. It is known as Bibi ka Makabara.

Uploaded by https://westbengalgovtjobs.com/ Page 5

INDIAN HISTORY

 In 1679, Aurangazeb reintroduced the Jaziya upon all the non- Muslim which was earlier abolished by Akbar.  Aurangazeb called a ‘Mountain Rat’ and gave him the title Raja because of his guerilla tactics.  In 1660 he entrusted Shaistha Khan to defeat Shivaji. Later in 1665 the treaty of Purandar was signed between Maharaja Jaisingh of Amber and Shivaji Jaisingh was deputed by Aurangazeb.  The Mughal relation became worse during the period of Aurangazeb.  Aurangazeb is considered as religiously fanatic. He was also a temple breaker. He persecuted the Hindus and imposed prohibition against the free exercise of Holi and Divali.  He reinterpreted Islamic law and presented the Fatawa-e- Alamgiri; he captured the diamond mines of the Sultanate of Golconda; he spent the major part of his last 27 years in the war with the Maratha rebels; at its zenith, his conquests expanded the empire to its greatest extent; the over-stretched empire was controlled by Mansabdars, and faced challenges after his death.  He died on Feb 20, 1707 at Ahmednagar. Aurangazeb’s tomb is situated at Daulatabad in Maharashtra.  Autobiography of Aurangazeb is ‘Fatua-i-Alamgiri’.  in Lahore was built by Aurangazeb.  The Mughal Empire started politically disintegrating after the death of Aurangzeb. Boundaries of India at the time of Aurangazeb existed from to Cauvery and Assam to Baluchistan. After the death of Aurangazeb a large number of independent states emerged.

Bahadur 1707- After his reign, the empire went into steady decline due to the lack of Shah I (also 1712 leadership qualities among his immediate successors. He released known as Shahuji, Son of Shambuji, who was the elder son of Shivaji. Muazzam/S hah Alam I) Jahandar 1712– Ascended the throne with the help of Zulfikar Khan. He abolished Jaziya. He Shah 1713 was an unpopular incompetent titular figurehead. Furrukhsiyar 1713– His reign marked the ascendancy of the manipulative Sayyid Brothers- 1719 Abduall Khan and Hussain Khan, execution of the rebel Banda. In 1717 he granted a Firman to the English East India Company granting them duty free trading rights for , the Firman was repudiated by the notable Murshid Quli Khan.

Rafi-UL- 1719 The 10th Mughal Emperor. He succeeded Furrukhsiyar, being proclaimed Darjat Badshah by the Syed Brothers.

Rafi-Ud- 1719 Was Mughal emperor for a brief period in 1719. Daulat

Uploaded by https://westbengalgovtjobs.com/ Page 6

INDIAN HISTORY

Nikusiyar 1719 Was a claimant to the throne of India.

Muhammad 1720 Attempted to seize the throne at the behest of the Syed Brothers in order to depose Ibrahim emperor . Muhammad 1719-20 Got rid of the Syed Brothers. Countered the emergence of the Shah Rangeela 1720-48 renegade Marathas and lost large tracts of the Deccan and Malwa in the process. Suffered the invasion of Nadir-Shah of Persia in 1739. In 1938-39 Nadir Shah raided India and took away Thakht-i-Taus(the peacock throne) and Kohinoor Diamond.

Ahmed Shah 1748-54 In his period Ahmad shah Abdali(General of Nadir Shah) marched towards Delhi Bahadur and Mughals ceded Punjab and Multan. His Minister Safdarjung was responsible for the Mughal Civil War, during which Mughal forces massacred by the Maratha during the Battle of Sikandarabad.

Alamgir II 1754–1759 He was murdered by a conspiracy of Imad-UL-Mulk and his Maratha associate Sadashivrao Bhau. Shah Jahan III 1759 He was overthrown after the by Prince Mirza Jawan Bakht.

Shah Alam II 1759–1806 He is known to have fought against the British East India Company during the and reformed the Mughal Army under the command of Mirza Najaf Khan and is thus known as one of the last effective Mughal Emperors.

Akbar Shah II 1806–1837 He designated Mir Fateh Ali Khan Talpur as the new Nawab of Sindh. Although he was under British protection his imperial name was removed from the official coinage after a brief dispute with the British East India Company. He conferred the title ‘Raja’ upon Ram Mohan Roy. Bahadur Shah 1837–1857 He was Emperor. On 17th May, 1857 Bahadur Shah II was II declared the independent Emperor of India by the Mutineers. He was surrendered to Lt. W.S.R Hodson at Humayun’s Tomb at delhi. In 1859 He was deposed by the British and exiled to Rangoon (Burma, now Myanmar) following the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He expired on Nov 7,1862. The Tomb of Bahadur Shah II is in Rangoon.

Uploaded by https://westbengalgovtjobs.com/ Page 7

INDIAN HISTORY

Thanks for downloading.

To get more Study Materials visit- https://westbengalgovtjobs.com/study-materials/

To get Daily/Monthly Current Affairs visit- https://westbengalgovtjobs.com/current-affairs/

Uploaded by https://westbengalgovtjobs.com/ Page 8