Rulers of the Mughal Dynasty

 Babur (Jahiruddin Muhammad Babur) (AD 1526-1530)

 Humayun (AD 1530-1540, AD 1555-1556)
 Akbar (Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar) (AD 1556-1605)
 Salim/Jahangir (AD 1605-1627)
 Shah Jahan (AD 1628-1658)
 Aurangzeb (AD 1658-1707)

BABUR

Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, fought several important battles in
India. These battles include the First Battle of Panipat, the Battle of Khanwa, the
Battle of Chanderi, and the Battle of Ghagra.
Early life
 Babur lost his father at age 11 and became the ruler of Farghana, a small
principality in Central Asia.
 He conquered Samarkand at age 14.
 He was exiled to Afghanistan for three years and tried to regain his father's
throne.
 In 1504, he marched into Afghanistan and conquered Kabul.
Important battles :
 First Battle of Panipat (1526): Babur defeated Sultan Ibrahim Lodi of the
Delhi Sultanate. Babur's use of artillery and the Tulguma system of warfare
gave him victory.
 Battle of Khanwa (1527): Babur defeated Rana Sangha of Mewar and other
Rajput rulers.
 Battle of Chanderi (1528): Babur captured Chanderi from Rajput king Medini
Rai.
 Battle of Ghagra (1529): Babur fought in this battle.

Persona of Babur
Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire and a brave, intelligent, and
just ruler. He was a fearless warrior who won major battles like the First Battle
of Panipat (1526). He introduced new war strategies and used gunpowder and
cannons effectively.
Babur was also a kind and fair leader who treated his people with justice.
He loved nature and poetry and wrote his famous autobiography, Baburnama, in
Turkish (Chagatai language).
Despite being an emperor, he was humble and believed in simple living.
His personality was a blend of bravery, wisdom, kindness, and creativity,
making him a great historical figure.

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 First Battle of Panipat (1526CE)
Babur won the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. This victory marked the beginning of
the Mughal Empire in India.
Battle details
 The battle took place on April 21, 1526 near the village of Panipat in Haryana,
India.
 Babur was the Timurid ruler of Kabulistan.
 Ibrahim Lodi was the Sultan of Delhi.
Explanation
 Superior weapons
Babur's army had guns, which were unknown to the Indians. The sound of the
cannons frightened the Lodi elephants, causing them to trample their own men.
 Tactical skills
Babur used new strategies like the Tulghuma and the Araba. He divided his
army into left, right, and center, and used carts to trigger cannon fire.
 Well-trained army
Babur's army was better trained than the Sultan's army. His cavalry was also
superior to the Indian cavalry.
 Strategic placement of troops
Babur's strategic placement of troops helped him defeat a much larger
force. He used a line of 700 wagons tied together with breastworks for his
musketeers to fire from.
Result  The victory of the Mughal Empire
 End of Delhi Sultanate & Lodi dynasty
 Establishment of the Mughal Dynasty
Battle of Khanwa (1527CE)
 The battle was fought on March 16, 1527
 The battle took place in the village of Khanwa, in the Bharatpur district of
Rajasthan
 Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire
 Rana Sanga was the ruler of Mewar, a region in present-day Rajasthan
 The battle was part of Babur's campaign to establish his rule in India
 Babur defeated Rana Sanga in the battle
 The battle was one of the first in Northern India to use gunpowder
extensively.
 It was a battle in which the Mughal Emperor Babur defeated a confederacy of
Rajputs and Afghans headed by Rana Sanga of Mewar.
 Babur’s decision to stay in India provoked Rana Sanga’s hostility, and he
began preparing for a showdown with Babur. Rana Sanga had domination
over Eastern Rajasthan, Malwa.
 Thus, Babur’s establishment of an empire in the Indo-Gangetic Valley was a
threat to Rana Sangha.
 Babur accused him of breaching the agreement. He says that Sanga had
invited him to India and promised to join him against Ibrahim Lodi but made
no such move.
 It is not known what precise promises Rana Sanga had made. However,
Babur’s decision to stay in India completely changed the situation.
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 Battle of Chanderi (1528CE)
 After the battle of Khanwa, the power of the Rajputs was only crippled but not
crushed.
 To further consolidate the gains and strengthen his position, Babur
conquered a chain of forts-Gwalior and Dholpur, towards the east of Agra.
 He also annexed a large part of Alwar from Hasan Khan Mewati. When Babur
received news that Rana Sanga had renewed war preparations to renew the
conflict with him, he decided to isolate Rana by inflicting a military defeat on
one of his staunchest allies, Medini Rai of Chanderi in Malwa.
 Chanderi was a stronghold of the Rajputs. The Rajputs decided to fight until
the end, and it was captured after the Rajput defenders had died fighting to
the last man, and their women burned themselves by performing Jauhar.
 After the battle of Chanderi, Babur’s authority was not challenged by the
Rajputs.
Battle of Ghaghra (1529CE)
 It was fought between the forces of Babur, the Eastern Afghan Confederates
under Sultan Mahmud Lodi, and the Sultanate of Bengal under Sultan Nusrat
Shah.
 Although the Afghans had been defeated, they needed to be reconciled to the
Mughal Rule, especially in Eastern UP.
 They had ousted the Mughal officials in Eastern UP and reached Kannauj.
The Afghan Sardars were backed by Nusrat Shah, the ruler of Bengal, who
had married a daughter of Ibrahim Lodi.
 However, they needed a popular leader. After some time, Mahmud Lodi,
brother of Ibrahim Lodi, who had fought against Babur at Khanwa, reached
Bihar.
 The Afghans hailed him as their leader and mustered strong support under
him.
 This was a threat Babur could not ignore. After crossing the Ganga near
Banaras, he faced the combined forces of the Afghans and Nusrat Shah of
Bengal at the crossing of the Ghaghra River.
 Although Babur crossed the river and compelled the combined forces of
Bengal and Afghan armies to retreat, he could not win a decisive victory.
Being ill and anxious about the situation in Central Asia, Babur decided to
patch up an agreement with the Afghan Chiefs.
 He also patched up a treaty with Nusrat Shah of Bengal. The Battle of
Ghaghra was important because it finished the challenge of the last of the
Lodis.

Humayun

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Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor, was the son of Babur
 Accession to the throne: After Babur's death in 1530, Humayun became
the Mughal Emperor.
 Early challenges: He faced conflicts with regional rulers like Bahadur Shah
of Gujarat and Afghan chiefs, often struggling to consolidate his power.
 Battle of Chausa and exile: In 1540, Humayun was defeated by Sher Shah
Suri in the Battle of Chausa (also known as Battle of Bilgram or Ganges),
leading to his exile for around 15 years.
 Time in exile: During his exile, Humayun sought refuge in Persia and other
regions, eventually regaining support to reclaim his throne.
 Return to power: With Persian assistance, Humayun recaptured his
kingdom in 1555.
 Death: Tragically, Humayun died shortly after regaining power due to a fall
from the stairs of his library in 1556.
 Legacy: Despite his turbulent reign, Humayun is remembered as the father
of Akbar, the great Mughal emperor who consolidated the empire.
 Humayun was born on March 6, 1508, in Kabul, Afghanistan.
 He became the second emperor of the Mughal Empire after his father, Babur,
died in 1530.
 Humayun faced numerous challenges, including being defeated by Sher
Shah Suri in 1540, leading to his exile.
 He returned to power in 1555 with Persian support, restoring Mughal rule.
 Humayun died in 1556, and his tomb is a significant historical site.
 Humayun was the second Mughal emperor, known for his early life,
challenges, exile, return to power, and his legacy through his tomb.
 Humayun was the eldest son of Babur.
 Humayun means “fortune” but he remained the most unfortunate ruler of the
Mughal Empire.
 Humayun had three brothers, Kamran, Askari and Hindal
 Humayun divided the empire among his brothers but this proved to be a great
blunder on his part.
 Kamran was given Kabul and Kandahar.
 Sambhal and Alwar were given to Askari and Hindal respectively.
 Humayun captured Gujarat from Bahadur Shah and appointed Askari as its
governor
 But soon Bahadur Shah recovered Gujarat from Askari who fled from there.
 In the east, Sher Khan became powerful. Humayun marched against him and
in the Battle of Chausa, held in 1539, Sher Khan destroyed the Mughal army
and Humayun escaped from there.
 Humayun reached Agra to negotiate with his brothers.
 In 1540, in the Battle of Bilgram or Ganges also known as Battle of Kanauj,
Humayun was forced to fight with Sher Khan alone and after losing his
kingdom, Humayun became an exile for the next fifteen years.
 In 1952, during his wanderings in deserts of Sindh,
Humayun married Hamida Banu Begum, daughter of Sheikh Ali Amber
Jaini, who had been a preceptor of Humayun’s brother Hindal.
 On November 23, 1542, Humayun’s wife gave birth to Akbar.

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  Amarkot’s Hindu chief RanaPrasad promised Humayun to help him to
conquer Thatta
 However, Humayun could not conquer Bhakker or secure Thus, he left India
and lived under the generosity of ShahTahmashp of Persia.
 Shah of Persia agreed to help Humayun and lend him a force of 14,000 men
on a condition to confirm to Shia creed, to have the Shah’s name proclaimed
in his Khutba and to give away Kandhar to him on his success.
 In 1545, with Persian
help, Humayun captured Kandhar and Kabul but refused to
cede Kandhar to Persia.
 Humayun sought help from the Safavid ruler.
 Later, he defeated his brothers Kamran and Askari.
 In 1555, Humayun defeated the Afghans and recovered the Mughal throne.
 After six months, he died in 1556 due to his fall from the staircase of his
library.
 Humayun was kind and generous, though he was not a good General and
warrior.
 He also loved painting and wrote poetry in the Persian language.

Persona of Humayun
Humayun was the second Mughal emperor and the son of Babur. He was
a kind, generous, and intelligent ruler, but he faced many challenges during his
reign. He lost his kingdom to Sher Shah Suri but later regained the throne with
Persian support.
Humayun was known for his soft nature and love for art and architecture.
He built beautiful structures and encouraged learning. However, he was not as
strong a military leader as Babur and faced struggles in maintaining his empire.
Despite difficulties, Humayun laid the foundation for Akbar’s powerful rule.
His personality was a mix of bravery, kindness, and intelligence, making him an
important figure in Mughal history.

The Battle of Chausa

The Battle of Chausa was a military conflict between Mughal emperor
Humayun and Sher Shah Suri, an Afghan. The battle took place on June 26, 1539
in Chausa, a village in modern-day Bihar, India.
 Location: The battle took place on the banks of the Ganges river, at the
border of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
 Duration: The two armies faced each other for three months, from April to
June 1539
 Outcome: Sher Shah Suri won the battle, and Humayun escaped by
swimming across the Ganges
 Aftermath: Sher Shah proclaimed himself emperor and took the name Sher
Shah
BATTLE DETAILS :
 Humayun traveled to Chausa through the Grand Trunk Road
 Sher Shah provoked Humayun to cross the Ganges
 Sher Shah waited for the rains to cause problems for the Mughal army

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  Sher Shah launched a three-pronged attack on the Mughals in the early
hours of June 26
 The Mughal army was wiped out, and many soldiers drowned in the Ganges
 Humayun escaped using a water carrier

The Battle of Kannauj

The Battle of Kannauj was a major defeat for Humayun, the second Mughal
emperor, at the hands of Sher Shah Suri in 1540. The battle took place in Kannauj,
Uttar Pradesh, India.
 Battle of Chausa: Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun in the Battle of Chausa
in 1539.
 Battle of Kannauj: Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun in the Battle of
Kannauj on May 17, 1540.
 Humayun's exile: Humayun was forced to leave India and live in exile after
the battle.
 Sher Shah's rise to power: Sher Shah became the ruler of Delhi and Agra,
ending the Mughal Empire's dominance.
 Humayun's son, Akbar: Humayun's son, Akbar, was born in Amarkot, Sind,
in 1542 during his exile.
 Humayun's return: Humayun regained control of Kabul and Kandahar with
the help of the Persian emperor.
 Political landscape: The battle of Kannauj marked a major shift in the
political landscape of the subcontinent.

Humayun Exile and Death

After his defeat at Kannauj in 1540, Humayun fled India, becoming a nomad.
He sought refuge in Sindh and later in Iran. Shah Tahmasp of Iran provided military
aid, allowing Humayun to conquer Kandahar in 1545 and reclaim Kabul from his
brother Kamran by 1550. Taking advantage of conflicts among Sher Shah’s
successors, Humayun captured Lahore in 1555 and, after defeating Sikandar Suri
at Sirhind, regained Delhi and Agra. Six months later, he died in 1556 after a fall.
Humayun was a kind, generous ruler and a student of mathematics, astronomy,
and astrology, with a passion for painting and Persian poetry.

SHER SHAH SURI

Sher shah suri was the founder of the Suri dynasty after defeating the Mughal
emperor Humayunh in 1540. Sher Shah Suri's central administration system was
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highly centralized, dividing his empire into 47 administrative divisions called
"Sarkars," which were further subdivided into smaller units called "Parganas," and
was managed through four key departments: Diwan-i-Wizarat (Finance), Diwan-i-
Ariz (Military), Diwan-i-Insha (Royal Secretariat), and Diwan-i-Risalat (Foreign
Affairs).
 He was known for his administrative skills and military prowess.
 He established the second Afghan Empire in India.

Persona of Sher Shah Suri

Sher Shah Suri was a brave, intelligent, and powerful ruler who founded
the Suri Dynasty. He defeated Humayun and became the ruler of Delhi. He was
known for his excellent administration, military skills, and justice.
Sher Shah introduced many reforms, including the Grand Trunk Road (GT
Road), an efficient postal system, and a strong revenue system. He also
improved trade, roads, and governance.
Though his rule was short (1540–1545), his wise leadership and reforms
influenced the later Mughal rulers. His persona reflected bravery, intelligence,
and strong leadership, making him one of the greatest rulers of India.

Sher Shah Suri's Central Administration

 Division of Territory:
The empire was divided into "Sarkars" and "Parganas" with each unit having
designated officials to manage revenue collection and administration.
 Central Departments:
 Diwan-i-Wizarat: Responsible for managing finances and revenue
collection.
 Diwan-i-Ariz: Oversaw military affairs
 Diwan-i-Insha: Managed the royal secretariat and communications
 Diwan-i-Risalat: Handled foreign affairs and religious matters
 Land Revenue System:
Sher Shah implemented a standardized land measurement system to
accurately calculate land revenue, providing protection to peasants and
promoting agricultural productivity.
 Military Reforms:
He maintained a strong military with a system of branding horses ("Dagh") and
keeping detailed soldier records ("Chehra").
 Built roads: Sher Shah Suri built roads, including the Grand Trunk Road, which
improved trade.
 Introduced the rupee: Sher Shah Suri introduced the rupee as a currency.
Standardized the currency system by introducing the 'rupee' which later
became a prominent currency in the region.
 Check and Balance System:
Introduced a 'dyarchy' system in administration where two officials were appointed
to manage different aspects of governance (like revenue and military), acting as a
check on each other to prevent corruption.

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 Sher Shah Suri's Revenue System
 Land Survey:
A detailed survey of all cultivable land was conducted to accurately assess its
productivity.
 Land Measurement:
A detailed survey of all agricultural land was conducted to accurately assess its
productivity.
 Land Classification:
Land was categorized based on its quality, usually into "good," "average," and
"poor" categories
 Land Records:
"Patta" (land ownership document) and "Qabuliyat" (agreement to pay revenue)
were issued to landowners to maintain proper records.
 Patta and Qabuliat:
To ensure transparency, farmers received "patta" (land title deeds) and signed
"qubuiliat" (agreements) outlining their revenue obligations.
 Revenue Rate:
The state took a fixed share of one-third of the average produce from each land
category.
 Payment Options:
Farmers could pay their land revenue in either cash or kind (crops) depending
on the harvest. Peasants could pay their land tax in either cash or kind (crops)
depending on their preference.

Importance Of Sher Shah Suri's Revenue System

 Improved Peasant Welfare:
By fixing a fair revenue rate, Sher Shah aimed to improve the lives of farmers
and encourage agricultural production.
 Stable Revenue Collection:
The systematic land survey and clear revenue structure ensured a steady flow
of income for the state.
 Foundation for Mughal System:
Many aspects of Sher Shah's revenue system were later adopted and refined
by the Mughal emperor Akbar.

Sher Shah Suri's Provincial Administration

 Division into Sarkars:
The empire was divided into several "sarkars" (provinces) with clear
boundaries.
 Subahdar as Governor:
Each sarkar was governed by a "subahdar" who held significant power within
their province.
 Revenue Collection:
The primary responsibility of the subahdar was to collect land revenue
efficiently through a well-organized system.
 Military Oversight:

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 Subahdars also commanded the military forces within their respective
provinces, ensuring security and defense.
 Administrative Hierarchy:
A network of lower-level officials under the subahdar managed day-to-day
administration within the sarkar.
Important aspects of Sher Shah Suri's administration:
 Land Revenue Reforms:
He implemented a thorough land survey system to accurately assess land
productivity and collect a fixed proportion of the produce as revenue.
 The "Kankut" System:
This system involved dividing land into different categories based on fertility,
facilitating fair tax collection.
 Infrastructure Development:
Sher Shah is renowned for building the Grand Trunk Road, a major trade route
connecting different parts of his empire.
 Monetary System:
He standardized the currency by introducing the "rupee".

Sher Shah Suri's Communication System

 Extensive Road Network:
He built major roads connecting important cities across his empire, most
notably the Grand Trunk Road which stretched from Sonargaon (Bangladesh)
to Peshawar (Pakistan).
 Rest Houses and Wells:
Along these roads, Sher Shah constructed rest houses (sarais) and wells to
provide comfort and necessary amenities to travelers.
 Postal Service:
A well-organized postal system was established with designated post houses
and horsemen to deliver royal mail efficiently.
 Importance of Communication:
This improved communication system facilitated trade, quick troop movement,
and efficient administration across his kingdom.

AKBAR (1542 – 1605)

Akbar (Abu'l-Fath Jalal ud-din Muhammad Akbar, 14 October 1542 –

1605) was the 3rd Mughal Emperor. He was born in Umarkot,(now Pakistan). He
was the son of 2nd Mughal Emperor Humayun. Akbarbecame the king in 1556 at
the age of 13 when his father died.
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 Akbar is primarily known as the third Mughal Emperor who ruled from 1556 to
1605, becoming emperor at a young age of 13, and is considered one of the
greatest Mughal rulers due to his extensive territorial expansion, administrative
reforms, and policy of religious tolerance, including the establishment of the "Ibadat
Khana" for religious discussions. He is considered as the real founder of the
Mughal Empire. Among the medieval rulers, he was the only one who strived for
secularism. The firmness and wisdom of his rule won him the title 'Guardian of
Mankind'.
 Ruler: Akbar was the third Mughal emperor, ruling from 1556 to 1605.
 Territorial Expansion: He significantly expanded the Mughal empire by
conquering regions like Gujarat, Bengal, and Bihar.
 Administrative System:
o Divided the empire into provinces called 'subas'.
o Each suba was governed by a Subedar.
o Introduced a new land revenue system for efficient tax collection.
 Religious Tolerance:
o Abolished the Jizya tax levied on non-Muslims.
o Initiated the practice of "Sulh-i-kul" (universal peace) by engaging in
religious debates with scholars from different faiths at the Ibadat
Khana.
 Notable aspects of Akbar's court:
o "Navratnas" - a group of nine brilliant scholars and advisors who were
considered the gems of his court.
o Patronage of arts and literature.
 Important buildings associated with Akbar:
o Fatehpur Sikri - a city built by Akbar, featuring the Buland Darwaza.
 Accession to the throne: Became emperor at a young age after the death
of his father, Humayun, following the Second Battle of Panipat where he
defeated Hemu with the help of his regent Bairam Khan.
 Military campaigns: Successfully expanded the Mughal empire by
conquering kingdoms like Malwa, Gujarat, Bengal, and parts of the Deccan
plateau.
 Important events:
 Capture of Chittor and Ranthambore
 Campaigns in Gujarat and Bengal
 Annexation of Kashmir and Qandahar
 Accession and Early Reign:
Became emperor at a young age, consolidated power with the help of his
mentor Bairam Khan, and successfully defeated rivals to expand the Mughal
empire.
 Administrative Reforms:
 Division of the empire into Subas: Implemented a system of
provinces governed by Subedars.
 Land Revenue System: Introduced a new and fairer land revenue
system called the "Zabt".
 Centralized Administration: Concentrated power in the hands of the
emperor.

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  Religious Tolerance:
 Abolished Jizya tax: Tax levied on non-Muslims was removed
 Dialogue with Scholars: Encouraged discussions with religious
leaders of different faiths
 Din-i-Ilahi: Established a new religion incorporating principles from
various faiths, though not widely adopted
 Notable advisors:
Akbar was known for his "Navratnas" (Nine Gems), a group of brilliant
advisors including Birbal, Abul Fazl, and Raja Man Singh.
 Notable Achievements:
 Conquest of Gujarat: Successfully annexed the wealthy Gujarat
region
 Military Campaigns: Expanded the empire by conquering territories in
Bengal, Bihar, and other areas
 Patronage of Arts: Fostered a flourishing artistic and intellectual
environment
 Navratnas:
A group of brilliant advisors and scholars including Abul Fazl, Tansen,
Birbal, and Todar Mal who played important roles in Akbar's administration.

Akbar's policies
 Abul Fazl has elaborately highlighted Akbar’s policies in ‘Ain-i-Akbari’, the last
volume of Akbarnamah.
 The empire was divided into provinces called ‘subas’ each under a governor
called the subadar. He performed political and military functions. The Diwan
was in charge of revenue while the ‘mir bakshi’ was the army paymaster.
 Akbar’s nobles commanded large armies and remained loyal to him and so
the empire functioned smoothly.
 In Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar built the Ibadatkhana to assemble scholars from all
religions.
 Religious Tolerance:
 "Sulh-i-Kul" policy: Promoted peace and harmony between different
religious communities.
 Abolished Jizya tax imposed on non-Muslims.
 Encouraged dialogue between scholars of various faiths.
 Established "Din-i-Ilahi," a new religion incorporating elements from
different faiths (although not widely adopted).
 Administrative Reforms:
 Centralized government structure with power concentrated in the
emperor.
 Mansabdari system: A ranking system for military officers based on their
skills and loyalty, managing both civil and military administration.
 Revenue reforms under Raja Todar Mal: Introduced the "Zabt" system,
standardizing land revenue collection based on land productivity.
 Rajput Policy:
 Strategic marriages with Rajput rulers to secure alliances and integrate
them into the Mughal administration.
 Offered high positions in the court to Rajput nobles.

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 Akbar’s Navratnas and their Brief Details
Abul Fazl Akbar’s Chief Advisor And Author Of Akbar Nama;
Grand Vizier Or Prime Minister Of Akbar
Faizi Akbar’s Poet Laureate; Education Minister Of Akbar
And Mentor Of Shahzadas
Tansen A Hindu Singer Who Converted To Islam; Culture
Minister And Singer Of Akbar
Birbal A Noble Known For His Wittiness; Foreign Minister
Of Akbar
Todar Mal Akbar’s Finance Minister
Raja Man Singh Chief Of Staff Of Akbar’s Mughal Army; Trusted
General Of Akbar
Abdul Rahim Khan-I- Defence Minister Of Akbar; A Noble And A
Khana Renowned Poet
Fakir Aziao-Din Religious Minister Of Akbar
Mullah Do Piaza Home Minister Of Akbar

Persona of Akbar
Akbar was the third and greatest Mughal emperor, known for his bravery,
intelligence, and kindness. He became emperor at a young age after his father,
Humayun, passed away. Akbar expanded the Mughal Empire through strong
military skills and strategic alliances.
He was famous for his religious tolerance and introduced the policy of Sulh-e-
Kul (universal peace). He also abolished the jizya tax on non-Muslims and included
people from different religions in his court. Akbar encouraged art, culture, and
administration reforms, making his rule strong and stable.
His persona reflected wisdom, fairness, and leadership, making him one of
the greatest rulers in Indian history.

The Second Battle of Panipat (1556)

The Second Battle of Panipat was fought on November 5, 1556, between the
Mughal emperor Akbar and the Hindu emperor Hemu. The battle took place near
the site of the First Battle of Panipat, which was fought in 1526.
 The battle was a fierce and bloody conflict with heavy casualties on both
sides.
 Hemu's army was larger than Akbar's, but Hemu was wounded by an arrow
and fell unconscious.
 Hemu's army panicked and fled after their leader was wounded.
 Hemu was captured and beheaded by Bairam Khan.
 The battle was a decisive victory for the Mughals.
 The battle re-established Mughal rule in India and established Akbar's rule.
Additional details :
 Hemu was the king of Delhi. He had conquered Delhi and Agra a few weeks
before the battle.
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  Hemu was commanding his forces from an elephant.
 Bairam Khan was Akbar's guardian.
 The battle was fought in Panipat, an important area for military, political, and
economic reasons.

Difference Between First And Second Battle Of Panipat

The First Battle of Panipat in 1526 established the Mughal Empire, while the
Second Battle of Panipat in 1556 consolidated Mughal power. The two battles were
fought in the city of Panipat in Haryana, India.
The First Battle of Panipat
 When: April 21, 1526
 Who fought: Babur, the Mughal emperor, against Ibrahim Lodi, the Delhi
Sultanate's ruler
 What happened: Babur's victory established the Mughal Empire and
introduced new warfare tactics
The Second Battle of Panipat
 When: November 5, 1556
 Who fought: Akbar, the Mughal emperor, against Hemu, the ruler of Delhi
and Agra
 What happened: Akbar's victory consolidated Mughal power and solidified
his position as emperor.

Bairam Khan
 Bairam Khan represented Akbar in the Second Battle of Panipat (AD 1556)
against Hemu, the Wazir of Adil Shah of Bengal, who led the Afghan forces.
 Under Bairam Khan’s rule, Mughal territories expanded from Kabul in the
East to Musunpur and Ajmer in the West.
 Additionally, Gwalior was captured during this period.
 Being the most influential noble, Bairam Khan appointed his allies to key
positions, sidelining senior nobles, which angered other influential courtiers.
 The situation worsened due to Bairam Khan’s growing arrogance. Upon his
removal, Akbar gave him the option to continue serving at the court or retire
to Mecca.
 Opting for Mecca, Bairam Khan was assassinated by an Afghan on his way to
Patan.
Important Keywords
 Mughals: Name is given to Mongol invaders who set up their rule in India
after invading several territories.
 Primogeniture: The right of succession belonging to the first born child.
 Coparcenary: Joint heirship
 Mansabdar: An individual who holds a mansab, which means a position or
rank.
 Zat: Rank and salary of mansabdars were determined by a numerical value
called zat.

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  Jagir: Mansabdars received their salaries as revenue assignments called
jagirs which were more or less similar to iqtas.
 Zabt: The revenue system during Akbar’s rule where each province was
divided into revenue circles with its own schedule of revenue rates for
individual crop is called zabt.
 Zamindar: Local headmen of villages or powerful chieftains, basically the
intermediary officers between the emperor and the peasants.
 Suba: The empire was divided into provinces called suba.
 Subadar: The governor of a province or a suba.
 Diwan: The financial officer in each province.
 Bakhshi: Military paymaster
 Sadr: The minister in charge of religious and charitable patronage
 Faujdar: Military commander
 Kotwal: Town police commander
 Farman: A document carrying an official order
 Dogma: A statement or an interpretation declared as authoritative with the
expectation that it would be followed without question.
 Bigot: An individual who is intolerant of another person’s religious beliefs or
culture.

Akbar and the Rajputs

The Mughal emperor Akbar had many conflicts with the Rajput kingdoms in
northern India. The Rajputs were proud warriors who ruled many areas that Akbar
wanted to expand his Empire into. This led to several wars between Akbar and
different Rajput kingdoms.
o When Akbar came to the throne, he wanted to expand the Mughal Empire.
The Rajput kingdoms controlled a large part of northern India, including areas
like Rajasthan and Haryana. So Akbar first had to defeat the Rajputs to gain
control of these areas.
o One of Akbar's first conflicts was with Rana Sanga of Mewar in 1567. Rana
Sanga led a big coalition of many Rajput kingdoms against Akbar. They
fought a big battle where Akbar's army narrowly defeated the Rajputs.
However, Mewar remained independent and refused to join the Mughal
empire.
o After this, Akbar decided to win over the Rajputs through conciliatory methods
instead of just warfare. The Rajput policy of Akbar was based on forming
marital alliances with Rajput kings. If a Rajput princess married Akbar's son or
grandson, it meant the Rajput kingdom had joined the Mughal Empire
peacefully.
o The first Rajput kingdom Akbar formed an alliance with was Bikaner in 1585.
Akbar's son Daniyal married the daughter of Raja Rai Singh of Bikaner.
Bikaner then became part of the Mughal Empire.
o Amar Singh, the king of Jaipur, also gave his daughter to Akbar's son
Salim(later known as Emperor Jahangir). This helped Jaipur join the Mughal
Empire.
o In 1587, Akbar also married Jodha Bai, the daughter of Raja Bharmal of
Amber. This further improved relations between the Mughals and the Rajputs

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 of Rajasthan. Many more Rajput kingdoms started forming marital alliances
with Akbar.
o However, Mewar continued to remain independent and never joined the
Mughal empire through marriage. The queen of Mewar even stopped her
ladies-in-waiting from marrying Mughal princes.
o Akbar invaded Mewar multiple times to force them to submit but faced stiff
resistance from Rana Pratap and his generals. The Mughals defeated the
Rajputs in many battles but could not conquer the fort of Chittor, which Rana
Pratap held on to.
o Eventually, Akbar gave up his attempts to conquer Mewar and made peace
with Rana Pratap. While most other Rajput kingdoms joined the Mughals,
Mewar remained independent throughout Akbar's reign.
o Though Akbar and the Rajputs faced many clashes initially, Akbar's
conciliatory policy of forming marital alliances helped absorb most Rajput
kingdoms into the Mughal Empire. Rajputs then started serving in Akbar's
army and administration and played an important role during his reign.
o While kingdoms like Bikaner, Jaipur, and Amber joined the Mughals
peacefully, the indomitable spirit of Rana Pratap and Mewar ensured that at
least one Rajput state remained independent and undefeated. The conflict
between Akbar and the Rajputs showcases both the martial abilities of the
Rajputs and Akbar's diplomatic skill in governance.
o In conclusion, though Akbar and the Rajputs had many conflicts in the
beginning, Akbar's policy of conciliation and intermarriage helped bring most
Rajput kingdoms into the Mughal fold except Mewar, which remained proudly
independent. The Rajput-Mughal relationship showcases both the strengths
and weaknesses of the two groups during that time period in Indian history.

RAJPUTS
Akbar's policy of integrating Rajput kingdoms through alliances and
marriages, Rana Pratap's staunch resistance against Mughal rule, the famous
Battle of Haldighati where Pratap fought valiantly against a much larger Mughal
army, and the lasting legacy of Pratap as a symbol of Rajput valor and
independence; despite losing the battle, he never submitted to Akbar and
continued to fight against Mughal authority throughout his life.
 Akbar's Rajput policy:
Akbar aimed to bring Rajput kingdoms under Mughal control by offering political
alliances and marrying Rajput princesses, successfully integrating many Rajput
rulers into his administration.
 Rana Pratap of Mewar:
Unlike most other Rajput rulers, Rana Pratap, the king of Mewar, fiercely
resisted Mughal rule and refused to submit to Akbar, becoming a symbol of
Rajput resistance.
 Battle of Haldighati (1576):
The most significant clash between Akbar's forces and Rana Pratap occurred at
Haldighati, a narrow mountain pass in Rajasthan. Though the Mughals
technically won the battle, they failed to capture Rana Pratap, who managed to
escape and continue his resistance.
 Significance of Rana Pratap:
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 Despite not achieving military victory against the mighty Mughal empire, Rana
Pratap is revered for his unwavering courage and determination in the face of
overwhelming odds.

Rana Pratap Singh

Rana Pratap's defiance against Mughal Emperor Akbar, the Battle of

Haldighati where Pratap fought bravely despite being outnumbered, his continued
resistance in the hilly terrains of Mewar even after the battle, and the fact that he
never submitted to Mughal rule despite facing significant losses; highlighting his
status as a symbol of resistance against the Mughal empire.
Important details:
 Rana Pratap and Mewar:
Rana Pratap was the ruler of Mewar, a Rajput kingdom in Rajasthan, and he
fiercely resisted Mughal attempts to conquer his territory.
 Akbar's Expansionist Policy:
Mughal Emperor Akbar aimed to expand his empire and sought to bring the
Rajput kingdoms under his control.
 Battle of Haldighati (1576):
The most significant battle between Rana Pratap and the Mughals, led by
Mughal general Man Singh, took place at Haldighati. Though heavily
outnumbered, Rana Pratap fought valiantly but was ultimately defeated and
forced to retreat to the hills.
 Continued Resistance:
Despite losing the battle, Rana Pratap never submitted to Akbar and continued
to wage guerilla warfare against the Mughal forces, harassing their supply lines
and raiding their territories.
 Impact of Rana Pratap's Struggle:
His unwavering resistance against a powerful empire cemented his legacy as a
symbol of valor and independence in the Rajput community.

MUGHALS IMPORTANT DATES

 1237 : Genghis Khan died.

 1404 : Timur died.
 1526: Babur, a Timurid prince, defeated the Lodi dynasty at the Battle of
Panipat, laying the foundation for the Mughal Empire in India.

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 1530 : Following Babur's death, his son Humayun became the emperor,
but his reign was marked by instability and challenges.
 1539 : Sher Shah defeated Humayun at chausa.
 1540 : Sher Shah again defeated Humayun at Kanauj.
 1555 : Humayun recaptured Delhi.
 1568 : Akbar seized Sisodiya capital of Chittor.
 1569 : Akbar seized Ranthambhor.
 1632 : Ahmadnagan was annexed by Shah Jahan.
 1685 : Aurangzeb annexed Bijapur.
 1687 : Aurangzeb annexed Golconda.
 1698 : Aurangzeb compaigned in the Deccan against the Marathas.
 1556 : After a brief period of turmoil, Akbar, the son of Humayun,
ascended to the throne and is considered one of the greatest Mughal
emperors.
 1605 : Jahangir, Akbar's son, took over the empire and continued many of
his father's policies.
 1628 : Shah Jahan, known for his architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal,
became the emperor.
 1658 : Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan's son, seized power and expanded the
Mughal empire to its largest extent.

Key points to remember:

 The Mughal emperors were descendants of Timur and Genghis Khan.
 The Mughal empire was renowned for its art, architecture, and
administrative system.
 Akbar's reign is considered a period of religious tolerance and
administrative reforms.

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Page (18)
 THE MUGHALS
Akbar’s Administrative System and Policies
1. Central Administration
 Wazir or Diwan-i-ala: Headed the revenue department but did not hold
a high mansab.
o He was responsible for all income and expenditure and held control
over khalisa, jagir, and inam lands.
 Khalisa: land owned by the emperor directly
 Jagir: given to Mansabdrs as salary
 Inam: assigned to learned and religious men
 Inam Grants: were granted irrespective of religious beliefs, encouraging
cultivation.
o It attracted talent from foreign lands due to the high salaries of Mughal
nobles.
 Mir Bakshi: Head of military administration, overseeing armed contingents
and war equipment. He personally supervised the branding of the
horses (Dagh) and checked the muster-roll (Chehra) of the soldiers.
o All orders of appointments of mansabdars and their salary
papers were endorsed and passed by him.
o He was also the head of the intelligence and information agencies.
 Intelligence Officers (Barids): and news reporters (waqia-navis) were
posted in all parts of the empire.
 Ahadis: a body of gentleman troopers. They were the emperor’s own
household troops who were directly recruited by the Mughal emperor
himself, mainly from the emperor’s own blood relatives and tribesmen.
 Mir Saman: In charge of the imperial household, managing supplies and
provisions.
o He supervised the production of various items in Karkhanas (factories)
and was responsible for maintaining court etiquette and controlling the
royal bodyguards.
 Sadr-us-Sudur: He was the head of the ecclesiastical department. His chief
duty was to protect the laws of the shari’at.
o He was also connected with the distribution of charities – cash
(Wazifa) and land grants (Suyurghal, In’am, Madad-i-ma’ash).
2. Provincial Administration
 Division of Empire: Divided empire into 12 provinces (suba), endowing
each with a Diwan, Bakshi, Sadr, and Qazi who replicated the functions of
their central counterparts. Provinces were further subdivided
into sarkars and Parganas. [UPSC 2021].
 Suba (Province): Headed by a Subedar responsible for law and order.
o Diwan: managed revenue, supervised collections, and
increased cultivation.
o Taccavi (loans): to peasants were facilitated through the revenue
department.
o Bakshi: oversaw horses and soldiers.

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 o Sadar: represented central authority, overseeing religious and judicial
matters.
 Sarkar (District): Headed by Faujdar who took care of rebellions and law
and order problems, protecting residents and assisting in revenue collection.
 Amalguzar/Amil: was the most important revenue collector.
o A good amil was supposed to increase the land under cultivation and
induce the peasants to pay revenue willingly without coercion.
 Pargana: Headed by Shiqdar (executive officer) who assisted Amalguzar in
revenue collection.
 Quanungo: maintained land records.
 Kotwals: appointed in towns, maintained law and order.
 Village: Headed by Muqaddam (village headman).
 Patwari: managed village revenue records
 Zamindars: assisted in law and order and revenue collection.
 Forts were administered by a Qiladar.

3. Revenue System OR Land Revenue System

 Land Revenue Arrangements include two stages of revenue collection:
Assessment (Jama) and Actual collection (Hasil).
 Modified Land Revenue Systems: Modified Sher Shah’s system and Raja
Todar Mal refined it further by standardizing land measurement and
classification.
o Revenue was set at one-third of average produce and was
primarily paid in cash.
 Zabt/Zabti System: (enforced by Sher Shah and adopted by Akbar),
associated with Raja Todar Mal, also called Todar Mal’s Bandobast.
 Dahsala System: introduced in 1580 AD, calculated revenue based on
the average yield of the past ten years, factoring in local prices.
o Parganas with similar productivity were organised into distinct
assessment circles.
 Classification of Lands: Land was categorised into the following with their
respective assessment rates:
o Polaj (under cultivation almost every year),
o Parati (uncultivated land),
o Chachar (fallow for two to three years),
o Banjar (fallow more than five years)
o Karoris: were appointed for collection and audit of revenue.

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 Amils (revenue collectors): were encouraged to support peasants by
providing Taccavi loans for diverse needs and enabling repayment in
manageable installments.
 Methods of Assessment Used During Akbar’s Reign:
o Batai/Ghalla Bakhshi: Crop-sharing between the cultivator and the
state, paid in cash or kind. It includes
 Batai or Bhaoli (Crops divided after reaping);
 Khet-Batai (Fields divided after sowing);
 Lang-Batai (Grain divided after harvest and stacking)
o Hast-o-bud: Officials estimated total produce and fixed the revenue
demand by inspecting the village, and may consider the number of
ploughs to assess the total produce.
o Kankut: Land was measured, and yield per unit for each crop was
estimated and applied to the area under cultivation.
o Nasaq: Used previous assessments to calculate the state revenue.
 Mansabdari System: The term “mansabdar” referred to an individual who
held a mansab, meaning a position or rank.
o It was a grading system used by the Mughals to fix (1) rank,
(2) salary, and (3) military responsibilities.
o Zat: Rank and salary were determined by a numerical
value called zat.
 The higher the zat, the more prestigious the noble’s position in
court and the larger his salary.
o Mansabdars’ Military Obligations and Salary Arrangements: The
mansabdar’s military responsibilities required him to maintain a
specified number of sawar or cavalrymen.
 The mansabdar brought his cavalrymen for review, got them
registered, their horses branded, and then received money to pay
them as salary.
 Mansabdars received their salaries as revenue assignments
called jagirs.
 Land Division for Revenue Collection: For revenue purposes, all the land
was divided into two – the Jagir and Khalisa.
o The land revenue collected from the Khalisa went to the royal
treasury, while that from Jagir went to mansabdars.
 Administration of Jagirs: Jagirs were somewhat like iqtas. But unlike
muqtis, most mansabdars did not actually reside in or administer their
jagirs.
o The revenue was collected for them by their servants while the
mansabdars themselves served in some other part of the country.
 Transfer and Inheritance of Jagirs: Jagirs were subject to regular transfers
and were not hereditary.
o Further, these were reverted to the state upon Mansabdar’s death.
 Rank Diversity and Evolution of Nobility: Ranks ranged from 10 to 5,000,
with exceptional figures like Raja Man Singh and Mirza Aziz Koka holding
7,000.

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 o The system led to a diversity of nobility, initially Central Asians and
Persians, but later included Rajputs and Shaikhzadas (Indian
Muslims).
 Rajput Policy: Adopted a conciliatory policy,
forming matrimonial alliances with their families and assigning high court
positions to them.
o He married Harkha Bai (daughter of Raja Bhar Mal of Amber) and
princesses from Bikaner and Jaisalmer.

Mansabdari System
The Mansabdari system was a military and civil administrative system. It was
introduced by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1571. The word "mansab" is of Arabic
origin, meaning "rank" or "position". Under this system, officials were assigned
ranks (mansabs). It was based on their military skills and administrative
capabilities. This determined their pay and the number of troops they were
expected to maintain.

Here are some key facts and figures about the Mansabdari System:
An Overview of the Mansabdari System
Who introduced the Mansabdari Akbar
System in India?
When was the Mansabdari System 1571 AD
introduced in India?
Where did the concept for the Akbar took it from the Mongolian
Mansabdari System come from? system.
What does the term Mansabdari Mansab is an Arabic word that means
mean? rank or position.
Who recruited the Mansabdars? Mansabdars from various
backgrounds were recruited by the
Mughals.

What is Mansab?
Mansab is an Arabic word meaning "rank" or "position." In the Mughal Empire, it
was a system of ranking officials based on their military skills and administrative
capabilities.
Who were Mansabdars?
Mansabdar is a Persian word meaning "holder of a mansab". In the Mughal Empire,
a Mansabdar was an official who held a rank in the Mansabdari system.
Mansabdars were responsible for both military and civil administration. They were
granted jagirs (land grants) in lieu of their salaries.

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Mansabdari System of Akbar
The Mansabdari system was a unified state service of officers arranged in a military
(cavalry) rank hierarchy but performing both civil (primarily financial) and military
functions under Akbar’s reign.
o Akbar established an organisation where all superior officials would have their
status defined in military terms.
o The jagirs were naturally transferable (but not hereditary), and no mansabdar
was permitted to keep the same jagir for an extended period of time.
o The only deviation from the standard jagir transfer system was the watan-
jagirs.
o Watan-jagirs were generally considered acceptable to zamindars who had
already possessed their watans (homelands) before the Mughal Empire’s
expansion.
o Watan jagirs were given to some Rajput mansabdars.
o The mansabdari system went through several stages of transformation, which
can be broadly classified into five:
o The numerical rank appeared as a Mughal military fact.
o The effective strength of mansabdar fell below the nominal strength.
o For the first time in Indian history, double rank was introduced.
o The soldier’s or trooper’s rank was merely a military fact.
o The institution was reorganised by Akbar’s successors in the final
phase.
o The successors of Akbar delivered a significant blow to the mansabdari
system in multiple ways.

Akbar's UNIFORM COINAGE System

Emperor Akbar is credited with standardizing Mughal

coinage. He introduced coins in different denominations of gold,
silver, and copper and featured inscriptions of the emperor’s
name, titles, and the minting year and ensured uniformity in weight
and design across the empire. His coins featured Persian
inscriptions and were known for their aesthetic appeal.
Akbar's reforms brought stability to the monetary system,
which played a crucial role in strengthening the Mughal economy.
The coins also had religious and poetic references, and the
precision in weight and craftsmanship made them a hallmark of
Mughal art and administration.

Akbar's Religious Policy

Akbar was very broadminded. Ever since his childhood, he was very
much influenced by liberal mindsets, like one of his regents, Bairam Khan, who
happened to be a Shia Liberal Muslim. Akbar was also influenced by scholars
across religions. So, he wanted to work out a synthesis of all religions. His
treatment of the Hindus was very tolerant. In fact, he was so liberal in his religious
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outlook that he attempted to find a new religion, Din-i-Ilahi in 1582 on the basis of
good points of all religions. Of course, he made no effort to force his religion on his
subjects.
Akbar’s religious policy was based on the following four pillars:

1. Pillar of amity,
2. Pillar of equity,
3. Pillar of kindness,
4. Pillar of tolerance.

Ibadat Khana (1575) : Akbar would sit for hours together on a huge flat stone and
think of the mysteries of God and religion. He established Ibadat Khana in 1575,
at Fatehpur Sikri, where he used to invite the scholars from all the religions and
have a discourse with them. Here his concept of Sulh-i-Kul got a push and grew
stronger. Though he had to shut it down after few years, discussions at the Ibadat
Khana had left lasting impressions on him.
Freedom Of Worship: Akbar allowed freedom of worship to people of all religions.
Abolition Of Jizya: Akbar quashed the Jizya tax on the Hindus.
No religious conversion: He put an end to religious conversions.
Founding a new religion:
He started a new religion called Din-i- Ilahi which included the good points of all
religions.
Reforms in Hindu Society: Akbar tried to remove the evil practices like Sati
prevalent in the Hindu Society.
Freedom to construct temples: Hindus were given full freedom to construct new
temples and repair old ones.
Land grants: Akbar gave land grants to Hindu, Jain and Persian institutions.

Akbar's Social, Educational And Cultural Reforms

1. Akbar was legalized widow remarriage.

2. Akbar was against anyone havingn more than one wife unless the first wife
could bear children.
3. Akbar raised the age of marriage to 14 for girls and 16 for boys.
4. Akbar the educational syllabus,laying more emphasis on moral education and
mathematics and on secular subjects such as agriculture ,geometry,
astronomy , logic and history.
5. Akbar was opposed to second marriage (having two wives at the same time)
unless the first wife was barren.
6. Akbar prohibited the sale of wine and spirits.
7. Akbar revised the educational curriculum, focusing more on moral education
and mathematics, as well as secular subjects like agriculture, geometry,
astronomy, government rules, logic, history, and so on.

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 8. As his court was infused with famous and scholar people, more popularly
known as the 'navaratna,' Akbar gave patronage to artists, poets, painters,
and musicians.
9. According to many historians, Akbar's empire was essentially secular, liberal,
and proponent of cultural integration. It was enlightened on social and cultural
issues.
10. Education for women was also promoted. Muslim nobility sent
their daughters to school as was customary.
11. One of Akbar's most memorable reforms was his opposition to the inhuman
Sati practise.
12. In 1562, Akbar outlawed the age-old practise of enslaving prisoners of war,
selling their wives and children, and so on.

Art And Paintings

Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, was a great patron of the arts and commissioned
many paintings during his reign. These paintings were rich in color, detail, and
realism, and were influenced by Persian, Indian, Buddhist, Jain, and European
art. Some of Akbar's famous paintings Tutinama and Hamzanama.
Features of Akbar's paintings
 Style: Akbar's paintings were characterized by rich colors, delicate
brushwork, and complex compositions.
 Subject matter: Akbar's paintings depicted a variety of subjects, including
history, literature, court life, wildlife, mythology, and portraits.
 Detail: Akbar paid close attention to the details of his paintings.
 Illustration: Akbar pioneered manuscript illustration.
 Naturalism: Akbar's love of nature led to the emergence of "zoological
portraits" and the use of flowers in decorative art.
Akbar's patronage of the arts
 Akbar personally supervised the work of Indian and Persian artists.
 He lavished wealth and titles on his talented artists.
 He commissioned true likenesses of important nobles, courtiers, and other
personalities.

Akbar's architecture
Akbar's architecture was a blend of Persian, Indian, and Central Asian styles. It was
characterized by rich decoration and a use of red sandstone.
Features of Akbar's architecture
 Red sandstone: The main building material used by Akbar
 Trabeated construction: A widespread construction technique
 Arches: Used mainly for decoration
 Lodi domes: Sometimes built hollow
 Multifaceted pillars: Shafts of pillars were multifaceted
 Bracket supports: Capitals of pillars were bracket supports
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  Opus sectile: Boldly carved or inlaid patterns of colored stones

Examples Of Akbar's Architecture

Agra Fort :
 Akbar built the Agra Fort in 1565-74 as a military base and royal residence.
 It is made of red sandstone and has massive walls and grand gates.
 Important structures inside include:
 Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience) – Where Akbar met common
people.
 Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) – Used for meetings with
important guests.
 Jahangir’s Palace – A beautiful palace for Akbar’s son, Jahangir.

Fatehpur Sikri (City of Victory) :

 The town of Fatehpur Sikri was built between 1569–74
 Akbar built the magnificent Fatehpur Sikri near Agra as his capital in 1571.
 It was built to honor Sufi Saint Salim Chishti, who had predicted the birth of
Akbar’s son, Jahangir.
 The city has many impressive buildings, including:
o Buland Darwaza – The highest gateway in the world, built to celebrate
Akbar’s victory over Gujarat.
o Jama Masjid – A grand mosque inside Fatehpur Sikri.
o Diwan-i-Khas – A special hall of private audience, known for its central
pillar with a unique design.
o Panch Mahal – A five-story palace used for relaxation and entertainment.
o Tomb of Salim Chishti – A beautiful white marble tomb inside Fatehpur
Sikri, dedicated to the Sufi saint.

Lahore Fort (Pakistan) :

 Built between 1586–1618, this fort was known for its outstanding decoration
 Akbar also expanded the Lahore Fort, adding gardens, palaces, and halls.
 The fort is an example of Mughal military and artistic excellence.

Akbar’s Tomb (Sikandra, Agra)

 Akbar’s tomb, located in Sikandra (near Agra), was built by his son
Jahangir.
 It follows Persian and Indian architectural styles and has a grand
entrance and beautifully decorated walls.

Gateway to the ʿArab Sarāʾī :

Located in Delhi, this gateway was built between 1560–61

Ajmer fort :
Built between 1564–73

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Allahabad fort :
Built between 1583–84, this fort is now largely dismantled

Akbar’s Navratnas
Nine of the courtiers were known as Akbar’s Navratnas (nine jewels).
1. Abul Fazl
a. He authored Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari.
b. He led the Mughal army in its war in Deccan.
c. On the orders of Prince Salim, he was killed by Bir Singh Bundela.
2. Faizi
a. He was a great Persian poet.
b. Brother of Abul Fazl.
c. Under his supervision, the Mahabharata was translated into the
Persian language.
d. He also translated Lilavati (a work on mathematics) into Persian.
3. Tansen
a. He served as a great musician in the court of King Ramachandra who
titled him “Tansen”. He was born as Tanna Mishra.
b. Akbar gave him the title of “Mian”.
c. It is believed that he could bring fire and rain by singing the ragas
Deepak and Megh Malhar respectively.
4. Raja Birbal
a. His original name was Mahesh Das.
b. Akbar gave him the title of “Raja” and “Birbal”.
c. He died on the northwest frontier fighting the Yusuf Shahis.
5. Raja Todar Mal
a. He was the head of the revenue system. He introduced standard
weights and measures.
b. He had earlier worked under Sher Shah Suri.
c. Akbar honoured him with the title of “Diwan-i-Ashraf”.
6. Raja Man Singh
a. One of the trusted generals of Akbar.
7. Fakir Aziao Din
a. He was one of the chief advisors of Akbar.
b. He was a Sufi mystic.
8. Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan
a. Son of Bairam Khan.
b. He was a great poet. He translated Baburnama into Persian.
9. Mirza Aziz Koka
a. Also known as Khan-i-Azam or Kotaltash.
b. Foster brother of Akbar.
c. He was also appointed Subedar of Gujarat.

Some of the important literary works were as follows

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 Baburnama: An autobiographical work written by Babur in Chagatai Turkish.
It provides detailed insights into India’s political, natural, economic, and
environmental conditions during his time, including information about various
crops cultivated in India.
 Humayunama: Authored by Gulbadan Begum, this work comprises the life
history of Babur in its first part and details about Humayun’s rule in the second
part.
 Akbarnama: Written by Abul Fazl and divided into three volumes, this official
chronicle extensively covers Akbar’s reign. The last volume, Ain-i-Akbari, is
also part of this compilation.
 Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri: Jahangir’s autobiography, serving as a primary source of
information about his era.
 Padshahnama: The first official document of Jahangir, offering detailed
information about his rule.
 Tarikh-i-Shahjahani: Authored by Sadik Khan, this work provides
comprehensive details about Shah Jahan’s rule.
 Futuhat-i-Alamgiri: Composed by Isardas Nagar, this book delves into the
relationship between Aurangzeb and the Rajputs.

QUESTIONS ANSWERS
Q1. What was Humayun famous for?
Ans. Humayun is famous as the second Mughal emperor, who initially lost and
later restored the Mughal Empire in India. In 1555, Humayun defeated the Afghans
and recovered the Mughal throne.
Q2. Who defeated Humayun in India?
Ans. Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun in the battles of Chausa (1539) and
Kanauj (1540).
Q3. Did Humayun leave India?
Ans. Yes, Humayun left India after his defeat by Sher Shah Suri and spent about
15 years in exile.
Q4. Why was Humayun exiled?
Ans. Humayun was exiled after losing his empire to Sher Shah Suri in battles of
Chausa and Kanauj, forcing him to seek refuge in Persia.
Q5. How did Humayun lost his empire?
Ans. Humayun lost his empire due to defeats by Sher Shah Suri, which led to his
temporary exile and the loss of control over his territories.
Sher Shah Suri was the founder of Sur dynasty in India. His original name was
Farid and he was the son of a jagirdar He joined the service Babur and later Bahar
Bihar. Once he killed a tiger the title of Sher Khan. He fought many battles with
Humayun and finally got the throne of Delhi in 1540. He continued to expand his
empire which extended from Indus in the east to Bengal in the west.
He was a brave soldier and a military genius and was an extremely able
administrator. He was well educated and had mastered many languages. He
evolved a system of administration which remained substantially unchanged till the
advent of the British in India. He introduced a tax collection system, built roads
along with resting areas for travellers, dug wells, made hospitals, free kitchens,
organized mail services and the police. He is believed to be the first one to
introduce "Rupaiya" and "Paisa" in place of "Tanka"
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Q. Who was Babur?
Ans. Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India. Born in 1483, he was a
descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan and established his rule after defeating the
Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodi, at the Battle of Panipat in 1526.
Q. How did Babur die?
Ans. Babur died in 1530 in Agra due to illness. His remains were later moved to a
garden in Kabul, which he had chosen as his burial place.
Q. Who invited Babur to India?
Babur was invited to India by Daulat Khan Lodi, the governor of Punjab, and Rana
Sanga of Mewar. They sought his help in overthrowing Sultan Ibrahim Lodi’s rule.
Q. Who succeeded Babur?
Ans. Babur was succeeded by his son Humayun, who became the next emperor of
the Mughal Empire in 1530.
Fill in the blanks:
(a) The capital of Mirza Hakim, Akbar’s half-brother, was ____________.
(b) The five Deccan Sultanates were Berar, Khandesh, Ahmadnagar, __________
and ____________.
(c) If zat determined a mansabdar’s rank and salary, sawar indicated his
____________ .
(d) Abul Fazl, Akbar’s friend and counsellor, helped him frame the idea of
____________ so that he could govern a society composed of many religions,
cultures and castes.
Answer
(a) The capital of Mirza Hakim, Akbar's half-brother, was Kabul.
(b) The five Deccan Sultanates were Berar, Khandesh,
Ahmadnagar, Bijapur and Golconda.
(c) If zat determined a mansabdar's rank and salary, sawar indicated his number of
cavalrymen.
(d) Abul Fazl, Akbar's friend and counselor, helped him frame the idea of sulh-i
kul so that he could govern a society composed of many religions, cultures and
castes.
Q. What were the central provinces under the control of the Mughals?
Answer
The central provinces under the control of the Mughals were:
(i) Lahore
(ii) Panipat
(iii) Delhi
(iv) Mathura
(v) Agra
(vi) Ajmer
(vii) Marwar
(viii) Mewar
(ix) Deccan
(x) Chittor

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 List of Mughal Emperors
Titular Birth
Portrait Birth Reign Death
Name Name
20 April
14 26
1526 – 26
Zahir ud- February December
December
Babur Din 1483 1530
1530
Muhamma Andijan, (aged 47)
(4 years,
d Uzbekista Agra, Indi
1- 8 months and
n a
6 days)
26 December
1530 – 17
May 1540
(9 years, 27
Nasir ud- 6 March 4 months and January
Din 1508 21 days) 1556
Humayun
Muhamma Kabul, Af (aged 47)
d ghanistan 22 February Delhi,
2-
1555 – 27 India
January 1556
(11 months
and 5 days)
11 February 27
15
Jalal ud- 1556 – 27 October
October
Din October 1605 1605
Akbar 1542
Muhamma (49 years, (aged 63)
Umerkot,
d 8 months and Agra,
3- Pakistan
16 days) India
3 November 28
31
Nur ud- 1605 – 28 October
August
Din October 1627 1627
Jahangir 1569
Muhamma (21 years, (aged 58)
Agra,
d 11 months Bhimber,
4- India
and 25 days) Pakistan
19 January 22
Shihab 5 January 1628 – 31 January
Shah ud-Din 1592 July 1658 1666
Jahan Muhamma Lahore, (30 years, (aged 74)
d Pakistan 6 months and Agra,
5- 12 days) India

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 Titular Birth
Portrait Birth Reign Death
Name Name
31 July
3 3 March
Muhi al- 1658 – 3
Aurangze Novembe 1707
Din March 1707
b r 1618 (aged 88)
Muhamma (48 years,
Alamgir Gujarat, Ahmedna
d 7 months and
India gar, India
6- 3 days)

14 March 20 June
Qutb ud- 28 June
1707 – 20 1707
Azam Din 1653
June 1707 (aged 53)
Shah Muhamma Burhanpu
(3 months 6 Agra,
d r, India
days) India
7-
19 June 1707 27
14
Bahadur Mirza – 27 February
October
Shah I Muhamm February 1712
1643
Shah ad 1712 (aged 68)
Burhanpu
Alam I Mu'azzam (4 years, 253 Lahore,
8- r, India
days) Pakistan
Muiz ud-
27 February 12
Din
9 May 1712 – 11 February
Muhamma
Jahandar 1661 February 1713
d
Shah Deccan, 1713 (aged 51)
First
India (0 years, 350 Delhi,
9- Puppet
days) India
emperor
Muin al-
Din
11 January
Muhamma 20 19 April
1713 – 28
d August 1719
Farrukh February
Puppet 1685 (aged 33)
Siyar 1719
emperor Aurangab Delhi,
(6 years, 48
10 - Under ad, India India
days)
the Sayyid
s of Barha
Rafi ud- Shams al- 1 28 February 6 June
Darajat Din Decembe 1719 – 6 1719
Muhamma r 1699 June 1719 (aged 19)
d (0 years, 98 Agra,
11 - Puppet days) India
emperor
Under
the Sayyid

Page (31)
 Titular Birth
Portrait Birth Reign Death
Name Name
s of Barha
Rafi al-Din
Muhamma 6 June 18
d 1719 – 17 Septembe
Shah Puppet 5 January September r 1719
Jahan II emperor 1696 1719 (aged 23)
Under (0 years, 105 Agra,
12 - the Sayyid days) India
s of Barha
Nasir al-
Din
27
Muhamma 7 August 26 April
September
d 1702 1748
Muhamma 1719 – 26
Puppet Ghazni, (aged 45)
d Shah April 1748
emperor Afghanist Delhi,
(28 years,
13 - Under an India
212 days)
the Sayyid
s of Barha
23 29 April 1 January
Mujahid
Ahmad Decembe 1748 – 2 1775
al-Din
Shah r 1725 June 1754 (aged 49)
Muhamma
Bahadur Delhi, (6 years, 37 Delhi,
d
14 - India days) India
3 June
29
6 June 1754 – 29
Aziz al-Din November
1699 November
Alamgir II Muhamma 1759
Burhanpu 1759
d (aged 60)
r, India (5 years, 180
15 - India
days)

10 December
1759 – 10 1772
Shah Muhi al-
1711 October 1760 (aged 60–
Jahan III Millat
(0 years, 282 61)
16 - days)

19
Jalal al- 10 October
25 June November
Din 1760 – 31
Shah 1728 1806
Muhamma July 1788
Alam II Delhi, (aged 78)
d Ali (27 years,
India Delhi,
17 - Gauhar 301 days)
India

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 Titular Birth
Portrait Birth Reign Death
Name Name
Bidar
Bakht 31 July 1790
Mahmud 1749 1788 – 11 (aged 40–
Shah
Shah Delhi, October 1788 41)
Jahan IV
Bahadur India (0 years, 63 Delhi,
Jahan days) India
18 -
Shah
Jalal al-
Din
17* Muhamma
16 October 19
d Ali
25 June 1788 – 19 November
Gauhar
Shah 1728 November 1806
Puppet
Alam II Delhi, 1806 (aged 78)
emperor
India (18 years, Delhi,
under
- 339 days) India
the Scindi
as of
Gwalior
Muin al-
Din
Muhamma 19 November 28
d 22 April 1806 – 28 Septembe
Akbar Puppet 1760 September r 1837
Shah II emperor Mukundp 1837 (aged 77)
under ur, India (30 years, Delhi,
19 - the East 321 days) India
India
Company

28 7
Abu Zafar 24 September November
Bahadur Siraj al- October 1837 – 21 1862
Shah II Din 1775 September (aged 87)
Zafar Muhamma Delhi, 1857 Rangoon,
20 - d India (19 years, Myanmar
360 days)

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