🏰 Mughal Empire (1526–1857 AD) – Notes for Competitive Exams
Introduction:
After the First Battle of Panipat (1526 AD), Babur founded the Mughal Empire in India.
For nearly three centuries, this empire remained the center of politics, art, culture, and administration in the Indian subcontinent.
Many questions related to the Mughal Empire are asked in SSC, Railway, UPSC, and State Exams.
👑 Major Mughal Rulers
✨ Babur (1526–1530 AD)
- First Battle of Panipat (1526) – defeated Ibrahim Lodi.
- Battle of Khanwa (1527) – defeated Rana Sanga.
- Battle of Chanderi (1528) – defeated Medini Rai.
- Battle of Ghaghra (1529) – defeated the Afghans.
📌 Babur’s autobiography – Tuzuk-e-Baburi (Baburnama).
✨ Humayun (1530–1540, 1555–1556 AD)
- Defeated by Sher Shah Suri and fled to Persia.
- Regained the throne after the death of Sher Shah.
📌 Humayun died after falling from the stairs.
✨ Akbar (1556–1605 AD)
- Second Battle of Panipat (1556) – defeated Hemu (Hemchandra Vikramaditya).
- Policy of religious tolerance – Sulh-i-Kul.
- Established Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri.
- Administrative systems – Mansabdari and Zabti system.
📌 Akbar is known as “Akbar the Great”.
✨ Jahangir (1605–1627 AD)
- Known as the “lover of justice” – Chain of Justice.
- Wife – Nur Jahan.
- Granted trading permission to the English East India Company.
✨ Shah Jahan (1628–1658 AD)
- Golden age of Mughal architecture.
- Built the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Jama Masjid.
- Deposed by Aurangzeb and imprisoned.
✨ Aurangzeb (1658–1707 AD)
- Longest-reigning Mughal emperor.
- Religious intolerance – re-imposed Jizya tax.
- Continuous conflicts with Marathas, Sikhs, and Rajputs.
📌 After Aurangzeb, the decline of the Mughal Empire accelerated rapidly.
📉 Decline of the Mughal Empire
- Weak successors.
- Revolts by Marathas, Sikhs, and Jats.
- Invasions by Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali.
- Rise of the British East India Company.
🎯 Important Points for Exams:
✦ Babur – First Battle of Panipat (1526).
✦ Humayun – fled to Persia after defeat by Sher Shah Suri.
✦ Akbar – Sulh-i-Kul, Mansabdari system.
✦ Jahangir – Chain of Justice, Nur Jahan.
✦ Shah Jahan – Taj Mahal, Red Fort.
✦ Aurangzeb – Jizya tax, beginning of Mughal decline.
✦ Babur – First Battle of Panipat (1526).
✦ Humayun – fled to Persia after defeat by Sher Shah Suri.
✦ Akbar – Sulh-i-Kul, Mansabdari system.
✦ Jahangir – Chain of Justice, Nur Jahan.
✦ Shah Jahan – Taj Mahal, Red Fort.
✦ Aurangzeb – Jizya tax, beginning of Mughal decline.
❓ Expected MCQs
Q1. When was the Mughal Empire founded?
➡️ Answer: 1526 AD
Q2. What is the name of Babur’s autobiography?
➡️ Answer: Tuzuk-e-Baburi
Q3. What was Akbar’s religious policy called?
➡️ Answer: Sulh-i-Kul
Q4. Who built the Taj Mahal?
➡️ Answer: Shah Jahan
Q5. Which ruler re-imposed the Jizya tax?
➡️ Answer: Aurangzeb
🏆 Conclusion
The Mughal Empire was one of the most powerful empires in Indian history. It took art, architecture, administration, and culture to new heights. For competitive exams, remembering the major rulers and their policies is essential.
📝 Practice Quiz
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