Summary of Mughal Empire in Subcontinent

 Author Fazila Nawaz

Mugals dominated the history of India for two hundred years. Babar was the first Mugal emperor to move from Kabul to the subcontinent. Babur set a sophisticated rule in Kabul during his early years, yet the strong opposite rulers around him forced him to commence his journey towards subcontinent. The advance military weapons helped Babar army to win battle against the Indians. Babar moved towards the northern India. He keenly observed the Hindu society and has jotted down his observations in his diary. During his time, he has tried to incorporate the natural beauty of India in the Indian paintings and discouraged the obscene Art incurred in deities. The buildings and gardens built by Babar giving touch of Persian architect.

 Babar was succeeded by his son Humayun who was a soft natured, charming and highly superstitious ruler. His each action was decided with advice of an astrologer. The Mugal Empire faced pleasant shocks during the regime of Humayun. They lost the occupied territories and in most of the wars Hamuyun cowardly escaped. Soon, Hamuyun was compelled to wander in the deserts of Rajasthan where Akbar was born. During Akbar’s early childhood, plains of Northern Indian were conquered by Humayun. Hence, Humayun once again set back his way to recover his lost empire. The tragic death of Humayun led to political crises. 

A large Hindu army captured Delhi and moved towards Punjab to drive out Akbar. Akbar was only fifteen years old and was in Punjab, leading his army. Eventually, he was made the next emperor during the time of war. Akbar won and expanded his territory with different strategies. One of all was to marry the daughters of Raja’s as a symbol peace treated between the Mugals and Raja’s. His marriage to Amber princess enraged the Raja of Chitor. A bloodily war was fought between Mugal’s and Raja of Chitore. After victory Akbar moved to Ajmer. A saint living in this place predicted Akbar to have three sons and exactly that happened in the future. Abdul Fazal Akbar’s writer wrote the history of Akbar, his philosophy on religion and about his formed religion. Akbar also supported painters representing his life in accurate paintings. Murder of Abdul Fazal by his son Jahangir upset him for which he never willed Jahangir to get grip on crown. Yet, an event of elephant competition led Jahangir’s way to crown. Jahangir never remained neutral to Hindu’s and his indulgence in opium and alcohol became a cause of his worst rule. His ferocities to his own family members burst out clashes in the family. However, his regime is remembered for the visit of foreign English visitors who brought the East-India company to India. Jahangir fell in love with Noor Jahan and married her. Jahangir died in Kashmir and then the emperor was succeeded by Shah Jahan who married to Noor Jahan’s niece Mumtaz. Shah Jahan also fought war against Noor Jahan and her Son in Law to get the Throne. He was a rebellion to his father Jahangir too. Shah Jahan’s beloved wife Mumtaz died during the birth of her fourteenth child and in her remembrance Shah Jahan built Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan was obsessed of building forts, Mosques and Monument. Shah Jahan was determined to give next rule to his most disciplined son Dara Shikoh. 

However, his younger son Aurangzeb was a furious warrior who conquered various territories. Due to sudden illness Shah Jahan handed the business of State temporarily to Dara Shikoh. The younger son of Shah Jahan Murd Baksh planned to become the emperor and led an army towards residence of Dara Shikoh. Aurangzeb joined Murd and won the war. Shah Jahan sent invitation of communication to Aurangzeb, yet this never happened but Aurangzeb seized Shah Jahan and became the emperor. Aurangzeb fought war against Dara Shikoh, defeated him and seized him with his son. With the advice of holy men soon Dara Shikoh was sentenced to death. Murd Baksh was also sentenced to death for guilty of murder under Hudud Law. Aurangzeb imposed high tax on non Muslims. Soon his rigid Islamic Laws grew people against him. Even his own son, Akbar joint the Raja’s to throw his father out of throne. Yet, his plan never became successful due to the Shrewdness of his father. Aurangzeb found a new threat in the face of Shiva Ji, yet he became successful in adding new forts to him regime. With the death of the sixth emperor, Aurangzeb the Mughal Empire died with him.