After the fall of the Gupta Empire in the 500s, India broke apart into a number of small kingdoms.

• During period of small kingdoms, Arab Muslim traders arrived in India for first time

• Traders sailed to ports on west coast in search of goods such as spices

• Over time, traders settled in India, lived peacefully beside Hindus, Buddhists

The Arrival of Islam• Next Muslims to arrive not so

peaceful

• Early 700s, Muslim raiders invaded, conquered region of Sind, in what is now Pakistan

• 300 years later, Muslims poured into north India from Afghanistan

• By 1200s, most of northern India under Muslim control

Muslim Raiders

Muslim Rule in India

Blending of Cultures

• Rulers also worked to spread Muslim culture through India

• Invited artists, scholars from other parts of Islamic world to Delhi

• New culture formed, blending Muslim, Indian elements

• Example: new language, Urdu, formed from combination of Arabic, Sanskrit

Delhi Sultanate

• Once Muslims took control of north India, established new government for region based in city of Delhi

• Government became known as Delhi sultanate

• Rulers in sultanate tolerant, allowed traditional customs, religions

Mughal Empire

THE MUGHAL EMPIRE (1526-1707)

The Mughal emperors (first six rulers). BABUR (1526-30) HUMAYUN (1530-56) AKBAR (1556-1605) JAHANGIR (1605-28) SHAHJAHAN (1628-58) AURANGZEB (1658-1707)

• Centralized government system.• Persian art/culture merged with native Indian art/culture.• New trade routes with Arabs and Turks. • Mughlai cuisine.• New architectural style.• Landscape gardening.• Urdu language developed from the fusion of Indian and Islamic culture. • Urdu = Persian + Arabic + Turkish

THE LARGEST ARMY The Mughals maintained the largest standing army of

that time. Just one estimate: In 1628 there 200,000 salaried

cavalrymen, 8000 mansabdars, 7000 ahadis and mounted musketeers were stationed at the imperial capital, besides the armies of the nobles, mansabdars and the princes.

In many instances they had the fastest moving army as well. Akbar was able to cover a distance of 500 miles (normally it took twenty-one days), in nine days to crush a rebellion (this feat was never repeated).

THE LARGEST ARMY…

Mughal dynamism depended on its military conquest, so much that some historians call it “a war state “(J F Richards).

Mughal emperors made little apology for attacking the neighbouring rulers and they regarded the adjoining territories either as tributaries or enemies.

Charismatic Rulers

The Mughal emperors, especially Akbar, created a special image of himself, and some of his personal qualities and virtues later served as a model for his successors (more details when legitimization process will be discussed).

Introduction• Under the Mughals, India was the heart of a great Islamic empire and

a prolific center of Islamic culture and learning.

• Dynasty was the greatest, richest and longest lasting Muslim dynasty to rule India.

• Mongol Descendents

• The Great Mughal Emperors were:

– Babur (1526-1530) The First of the Mughals

– Humayun (1530-1556) The Luckless Leader

– Akbar (1556-1605) The Great

– Jehangir (1605-1627) The Paragon of Stability

– Shah Jehan (1627-1658) The Master Builder

– Aurangzeb (1658-1707) The Intolerant

• The Delhi sultanate remained strong for about 300 years.

• By the early 1500s, its power was weakening.

• This weakening left India open to invasion.

• Young Central Asian conqueror named Zahir ud-Din, better known as Babur, “the tiger,” took advantage of India’s weakness

Babur • Tried, failed to

create empire in Central Asia

• Next turned to India

• By 1526, had defeated rulers of Delhi, founded Mughal Empire

Mughal Empire• Name comes from

Persian word Mogul for “Mongol”

• Mughals reigned as India’s first great Muslim empire

• Great civilization, known for wealth, power

Wealth, Power

A New Empire

Mughal EmpireBabur & Turks invade India 1526

- only wanted booty- remained when prevented from returning north

used military tactics similar to Ottomans

within 2 years held much of Indus & Ganges plain

Babur’s death in 1530 brought invasion, successor flees to Persia- re-invade & restore control by 1556

                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                      

Babur 1526 - 1530The First of the Mughals

• Babur was a direct descendant of the Turkish Ghengis Khan and Timur from Tamerlane.

• Defeated the Delhi Sultanate & established the Mughal Empire.– Gunpowder, a skilled commander, trained soldiers on horses contributed to the

victory

• Gained control of the whole northern India – Made Agra capital

• He reigned for 4 short years and died at age 47 in 1530.

• Did not enact new laws or organization in the empire due to early his death

Babur (r. 1525-1530)Babur (r. 1525-1530)Founder of the Mughal

dynasty, descendant of Genghis Kahn.

Began in AfghanistanConquered Delhi in

1526 using gunpowder, mobile cavalry, mounted elephants—“modern” warfare.

Consolidated Indian states of the north

                                                                             

Humayun 1530 - 1556The Luckless Leader

• After Babur died, he was succeeded by his son Humayun in 1530. Humayun was 23 years old.

• He was not a soldier and unlike his father, neither skilled nor a wise leader.

• Inherited a disunited and disorganized empire.

• In 1540, Sher Shah of Bengal defeated Humayun and took over the Mughal Empire. The Empire was lost from 1540-1545.

– He was exiled but later regained power in 1555.

• Humayun died in 1556 after falling down the steps of his library; he is known as “the luckless one”.

Akbar 1556 - 1605The Great

• Akbar become the new Mughal ruler at the age of 14. – Regent and his mother ruled in his name for 4 years

• Akbar was an ambitious and noble commander – Built the largest army ever in the empire. – Helped to conquer nearly all of modern-day northern India and Pakistan.

• Great administrator– developed a centralized government

• It delegated 15 provinces each under a governor and each province into districts and each district was further sub-divided into smaller sections.

• Best known for tolerance of his subjects (especially Hindus)– Removed poll taxes on Hindus

• Invited religious scholars to debate him in his private chambers. – Developed his own faith call Din Ilahi.

• Din Ilahi was a mixture of the other religions Akbar had studied from those debates.

• Religion never caught on

Akbar (Babur’s grandson)

defeats enemiesgreat military & administrative talentreconciles with Hindu subjects

- encourages intermarriage- abolishes head taxes- respects Hindu religious customs

invents a faith incorporating Islam & Hinduism to unify subjects

Hindu & Muslim warrior aristocracy granted land & labor for loyalty

attempts to introduce social changes to benefit

regulate consumption of alcohol

improve position of women

prohibited sati encouraged widow remarriagediscouraged child marriages

most reforms not successful

powerful empire in 1600syet most of population live in poverty

Babur’s Grandson

• Babur died shortly after conquest of India, task of organizing what he conquered fell to descendants

• Most done by grandson, Akbar the Great

Expanding Rule

• Akbar married daughter of local noble to win noble’s support

• Brought sons of other nobles to live at court

• Did not hesitate to fight to prevent rebellion

• 1605, Akbar died; at time, Mughals ruled most of north India, much of interior

Diverse Population

• Akbar took throne at age 13, but became greatest of all Mughal rulers

• Realized India had diverse population, which could lead to breakdown of empire; did everything he could to win people’s loyalty

Akbar the Great

Akbar the Great (r. 1556-1605)

• Founder the Mughal Empire• Contemporary of Elizabeth I and

Süleyman• Responsible for uniting most of

the Indian subcontinent.• Policy of imperial expansion.

– Gunpowder empire

• Governmental reforms, cultural patronage, and religious toleration.

THE LEGITIMACY…• First of all, the Muslim rulers in India, like their

early Muslim predecessors, neither broke away the established kingship system nor interfered with customs, the social order, or indigenous structure of the village administration.

• The Muslim kings did not present themselves as lawmakers for non-Muslim subjects, but as their protectors and guaranteed the continuity

Govt Admn and Ministers• Most of the administrative institutions were initiated and

established during the reign of Akbar. • He was able to build a centralized administration which was

capable of steady expansion as new territories were added to the empire.

• At the apex of this system was the emperor who acted as a chief executive.

• At the central level there were four main officials and their ministries namely: Diwan in charge of finance and revenue, Mir Bakshi in charge of army and intelligence, Qazi in charge of judiciary and patronage and Mir-i-Saman in charge of the royal household, and its central workshops, buildings, roads and canals throughout the empire.

THE MINISTERS..

• The Mughal civil and administrative officials were regulated and organized under the mansabdari system.

• Each of these officials were supported and helped by a large staff of clerks, accountants, auditors, messengers, and other functionaries.

THE PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS

• The division of functions established at the centre was duplicated in the provinces.

• At each provincial capital a subahdar (governor) responsible directly to the emperor, shared power with a diwan (finance official) reported to the imperial diwan, bakshi (military and intelligence official) reported to the mir-bakshi and a sadr reported to the imperial qazi.

THE MANSABDARI SYSTEM• Every official in the Mughal empire, high or low,

had a rank or a mansab.• Their status, duties, pay and importance were graded

accordingly. • Technically, all mansabdars had to maintain a military

contingent for which they were paid. • All other officials were paid in cash.• During Akbar’s time the official bearing a decimal rank of

500 were ranked as a noble or umara. • But by the end of the seventeenth century the mansabdars

with 1000 rank were accorded the status of a umara.

THE MANSABDARI ….

• All mansabdars had dual ranks and they were remunerated on that basis.

• The successful regulation of the mansabs and the salary assignment (jagirdari system) can be truly termed as a Mughal phenomenon.

THE MANSABDARI…

• All Mughal officials received a dual rank when they joined the Mughal imperial service.

• That was zat (personal salary) and sawar (payment for the military contingent)

• . For example the mansab of Prince Salim (Jahangir) was 5000 zat/5000 sawar.

• What does it mean: Prince Salim’s personal salary was based on his mansab of 5000 zat and for 5000 sawar, he had to maintain a military contingent.

THE MANSABDARI…

• During Akbar’s reign the ratio was one horsemen and two horses and a mansabdar of 5000 sawar had to maintain a contingent of 5000 horsemen.

• The mansabdars zat rank never exceeded his sawar rank (either it used to be equal 5000/5000 or 3000/ 4000 or less than the sawar rank).

• The zat numerals were always used to be stated first.

• The highest rank (mansab) was 7000/7000 which was awarded to the officials/royalty.

CHANGES IN THE MANSABDARI

• After the reign of Akbar when the highest ranking mansabdars who had reached the maximum limit in their mansab had nothing to aspire for.

• For this reason there were some changes in the mansabdari system.

• The quota of the contingent which each mansabdar had to maintain was lowered and there were further reductions in the contingent if the mansabdars were posted on the frontiers or far away places.

THE JAGIRDARI SYSTEM

• All the Mughal mansabdars were paid through an assignment of jagirs.

• These jagirs can be linked to the Delhi Sultan’s Iqta system where the Sultans parcelled out their territories to be administered by their nobles and the state officials.

• These officials were responsible for maintaining law and order and collection of land revenue.

• After meeting the necessary expenses the iqtadars used to send the surplus revenue to the central treasury.

THE JAGIRDARI…• The jagir assignments initiated by Akbar, however,

only gave the right to collect revenues to the mansabdars.

• They were not responsible to maintain law and order or any other responsibilities.

• It was a purely fiscalarrangement and only Rajput mansabdars were given more extensive rights of residence within their own homeland (Rajputana).

• They received patrimonial (Mughal term: watan) lands as a part of the jagirs assigned to them.

THE MUGHAL NOBILITY

• Mughal nobility was unique in two ways:

• a) Mughal empire was the only Muslim state where the shia and the sunni nobles co-existed peacefully.

• b) Empire provided opportunities for service irrespective of ethnic, religious or familial ties and thus created a “new individual and group identity”.

THE NOBILITY…• (like the Turkish nobility), those who rose to eminence as

their talents and the emperor’s favours permitted.

• But no single ethnic or sectarian group was ever large enough to challenge the authority of the emperor.

• Rewards and incentives rather than force and coercion were the Mughal’s preferred approach.

• The system offered generous money rewards as well as lavish honours and preferment to those who performed well at all levels.

Social Aspects• Generally the Mughal Empire is thought of as a prosperous time

period. • Even though the Mughal Empire existed 300-500 years ago, its

influence still exists in current day India. • The social aspects of the Mughal Empire and India today

especially relate including family life, religion, art, music, literature, and education.

• During the Mughal Empire, women had a significant role in family life.

• Women received salaries, owned land, participated in business transactions, and literary activities.

• Aristocratic women painted, wrote poetry, and played music because they received a higher education.

Social Aspects (cont.)The Mughal Empire was run by Muslim emperors, however India

was and still is Hindu dominated. Hindus, specifically of the upper class, adopted the Muslim

practice of isolating women, called purda. The Hindu practice of cremation of widows, called suttee,

continued even though the Mughals tried to abolish it.The Mughal rulers sometimes forced Islam upon the Hindus, but

many times the Hindus resisted.Hindu men would marry Islam women and convert them to

Hinduism in order to keep their religion prominent. Families looked down upon Hindus if one converted to Islam. Child marriage also remained common. Depending on the emperor, there was religious acceptance and

tolerance, but religious segregation still existed.

Religious Tolerance• Akbar worked to unify diverse empire by promoting religious

tolerance• Held that no one religion could provide all answers to life’s problems• Did not want to discourage people from practicing any religion,

discriminate against anyone for their beliefs

• Abolished taxes placed on non-Muslims by earlier rulers

• Appointed Hindus to several influential positions in government

• Encouraged discussions, debates among Muslims, Hindus, Christians, people of other religions

Reforms • Established centralized government

that gave him supreme civil, military authority over his empire

• Reformed tax system, appointed officials to oversee it

• Majority of officials from outside Mughal Empire

Firm Grip on Finances

Akbar’s Achievements

Economic DevelopmentsEconomic DevelopmentsProductive agricultural economy was the base and

foundation to all of the Islamic empires. They relied heavily on crops of wheat and rice.The profit from agricultural trade and production

went mostly to finance armies and bureaucracies.

The Columbian exchange brought change (though not as dramatic as the change in Europe and Asia) by introducing American food crops such as maize, potatoes, and tomatoes.

Maize was used as feed for animals because it was not popular for food use for the Islamic people.

Economic Developments (cont.)Economic Developments (cont.)Tobacco and coffee traded by European merchants

became very popular in the 16th century. Plantations specialized in the production of these

items in a similar way as sugar in America.The interest in coffee and tobacco sparked a new

tradition of coffee and smoke houses where the people could indulge in both of the addictive substances.

In the mid sixteenth century, both the drink and tobacco were outlawed because of their distraction on moral teachings.

The rise in population in the Mughal empire was attributed mainly to their success in agriculture rather than trade. The people of the Mughal empire also participated actively.

Known for his Humane Rule 1. accepted the diversity of Indian civilization a. religious tolerance * allowed Hindus to serve in court * allowed the Jesuits b. allowed Hindus to serve in court c. took Hindu wives as some of his princesses

Akbar’s ReignAkbar’s ReignPolicy of toleration and acceptance.

◦Married a Hindu princess and employed Jesuit missionaries as advisors.

◦Abolished certain restrictions on Hindus.◦Restricted power of ulama

Became hostile to Islam: created a new faith called the Din-i-Ilahi (Divine Faith)—combined aspects of different religions and the central belief was that the emperor and his decisions were perfect.◦Mughal version of divine right of kings.

Created an Indian Empire more so than Islamic

Tolerant Administration 1 high officials were Muslims 2. lower officials were Hindu 3. Zamindars (Local Officials) a. paid in land b. peasants farmed land for the officials * 1/3 of a peasants salary taxed * taxes flexible

Political Stability Allowed Industry to Flourish

• Ruthless start, but good ruler

• Continued religious tolerance; supported arts; adopted Persian influences into Indian society

• Acceptance of Persian customs inspired by Persian-born wife, Nur Jahan

• Powerful woman who ruled for several years while husband ill

Rule

• Babur, Akbar laid foundation for powerful empire

• Rulers who followed built upon foundation, raised Mughal India to new heights of power, wealth

• Akbar’s son, Jahangir, intelligent, impatient to rule, rebelled against father; later reconciled

• In 1605 became emperor after Akbar’s death

Jahangir

Height of the Mughal Empire

• Known for manuscripts and Persian miniature paintings.

• Very symbolic.

• Involved a lot of nature (birds, flowers, animals, etc.)

• Very colorful and detailed.

•In 1680 Emporer Shah Jahan banned music and painting from his court, but he allowed architectural art, such as the Pearl Mosque and the Taj Mahal.

Mughal Art• The Mughal Empire and the Great Mughals will always

be remembered as a great influence on the artistic and cultural life of India. Their architectural style can still be seen today such as the Taj Mahal built by Shah Jehan and the buildings at Fatehpur Sikri.

• The remarkable flowering of art and architecture under the Mughal Empire is due to several factors.– The empire provided a secure framework within which

artistic genius could flourish. Both Hindu and Muslim artists collaborated to produce some of the best Indian art.

– The empire commanded wealth and resources that were unparalleled in Indian history.

– The Mughal emperors were themselves patrons of art whose intellectual ideas and cultural outlook were expressed in the architecture.

• Nearly 400 monuments have survived a time-span of 132 years.

•White marble and red sandstone was favored.

•Semi-precious gemstones were popular (jade, crystal, etc.)

• Used arches sparingly.

• Symmetry and balance stressed.

• Used octagons a lot.

This is the famous Fatehpur Sikri which was the new capital built by Akbar, as a part of his attempt to absorb other religions into Islam.

Fatehpur Sikri is a synthesis of Hindu and Islamic architecture.

HUMAYUN’S TOMB, DELHIHUMAYUN’S TOMB, DELHI

• Kurta ~ an informal dress worn by Mughal men and women.

• Sometimes sewn with gold or silver threads. • Cut in long, flowing panels for comfort; about knee-length.

• Traditional wear in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Jehangir 1605 - 1627Jehangir 1605 - 1627The Paragon of StabilityThe Paragon of Stability

Jehangir succeeded his father Akbar in 1605.Jehangir succeeded his father Akbar in 1605. Opposite of his fatherOpposite of his father

– Poor monarch and warrior but good at maintaining the Poor monarch and warrior but good at maintaining the status quo.status quo.

He He continuedcontinued many of Akbar’s many of Akbar’s policies policies..– Freedom of worship.Freedom of worship.– Fair treatment of Hindus.Fair treatment of Hindus.– Continued friendship and alliance with Rajputs.Continued friendship and alliance with Rajputs.– Allowed foreigners like the Portuguese and English into Allowed foreigners like the Portuguese and English into

India for trade.India for trade. Jehangir married Nur Jahan. She became the Jehangir married Nur Jahan. She became the real real

rulerruler of the empire until the death of her of the empire until the death of her husband.husband.

The Mughal DynastyThe Mughal DynastyJahangir - court fell into the hands of his wives a. Nur Jahan * used her position to increase her families wealth

Jehangir Issues (specific)Jehangir Issues (specific)

Under the influence of his wife and Under the influence of his wife and many others, Jehangir was not an many others, Jehangir was not an able ruler like his father.able ruler like his father.– He loved to drink and enjoy himself.He loved to drink and enjoy himself.– He had to He had to suppress many rebellionssuppress many rebellions..– Important posts in the court were given Important posts in the court were given

to families, friends, and especially those to families, friends, and especially those close to his wife, Jahan.close to his wife, Jahan.

Sikhism

During reign, Jahangir came into conflict with religious group, Sikhs

Some Sikhs had supported rebellion against Jahangir Sikhism, blended elements of Islam, Hinduism

◦ Like Muslims, believe in one God, who created world, who has no physical form

◦ Unlike Muslims, who believe in afterlife, believe in reincarnation

◦ Believe goal of existence to be freed from cycle of rebirth, attain unity with God

◦ Do not practice rituals like pilgrimage, yoga, from the earlier religions

Akbar’s SuccessorsAkbar’s Successors

Jahangir (r. 1605-1627), Akbar’s son, unpopular and inept◦Allowed English merchants to establish a

trading post at Surat on west coast.Jahan (r. 16278-1658)

◦Military campaigns and building projects strained the economy and treasury

◦Religious toleration revoked piecemealAurangzeb (r. 1658-1707)

Shah Jehan 1627 - 1658The Master Builder

• Shah Jehan succeeded his father in 1627.

• Better ruler than Jehangir.– Restored the efficiency of government.

– Recovered territories.

– Maintained peace

– Foreign traders were allowed into India and trade increased considerably.

• The empire was expanded.

• Shah Jehan was a patron of the arts– Built many great architecture buildings including the Taj Mahal

and the Peacock Throne, a brilliant gold throne encased in hundreds of precious gems.

Shah Jahan 1. son of Nur Jahan 2. ruler in 1627 a. killed rivals 3. failed at internal problems a. inherited empty treasury * Nur Jahan b. majority of subjects in horrible poverty c. military campaigns & building project * raise taxes d. Transportation Problems * nothing done

As the famine increased, men abandoned towns and villages and wandered helplessly.

It was easy to recognize their condition: eyes sunk deep in head, lips pale and covered with slime, the skin hard, with the bones showing through, the belly nothing but a pouch hanging down empty, knuckles and knee-caps showing prominently.

One would cry and howl for hunger, while another lay stretched on the ground dying in misery; wherever you went, you saw nothing but corpses.

Shah Jehan• Taj Mahal

– Built in honor of his wife who died during childbirth. – Took over a decade to build and it nearly bankrupted the

empire.• 1657 - Shah Jehan became seriously ill and a dispute

over the succession of the throne ensued between his three sons.

• Aurangzeb deposed Shah Jehan in a coup d’etat in 1658. Shah Jehan was imprisoned in the Octagonal Tower of the Agra Fort from which he could see the Taj Mahal. He died in 1666 and was buried next to his wife in the Taj Mahal.

The cost of building monuments such as the Taj Mahal and the palaces of Delhi was enormous.

• Jahangir’s son and successor, Shah Jahan shared his father’s love of literature and art.

• During his reign the Mughal Empire experienced a cultural golden age.

• Greatest example of Mughal architecture, Taj Mahal built during his reign

• Designed by Persian architects, displays elements of Indian, Persian, Muslim architectural styles

• Built as tomb for Shah Jahan’s wife

Taj Mahal

Shah Jahan

• Shah Jahan also built new capital for India at Delhi

• At heart, chamber that held magnificent Peacock Throne

• Flanked by two sculpted peacocks, encrusted with gold, diamonds, emeralds, other gems

Symbol of Mughal Majesty

Golden Age of Mughal architecture under Jahan

The Taj MahalThe Taj Mahal

Who Made Taj Mahal And Why?Who Made Taj Mahal And Why?

Emperor Shah Jahan built it.He lived from 1628 – 1666. He made Taj Mahal in the memory of his wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal, (Her real name was Arjumand Banu). they married on 1612

Mumtaz Mahal

Where Is It Located?Where Is It Located?

City: Arga, on the banks of River YamunaState: Uttar PradeshDistance from New Delhi: 204 km

(Approximately)

River Yamuna

New Delhi

How Long Did It Take To Build How Long Did It Take To Build Taj Mahal?Taj Mahal?

It took 22 years to build it, they began building it in 1631 and it was completed in 1653 and there were 20,000 workers who helped. To build it there it cost 32 million rupees.

What Does Taj Mahal Mean?What Does Taj Mahal Mean?

Taj Mahal means crown palace. It was the grave of Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber, the grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later.

Why Is Taj Mahal Famous?Why Is Taj Mahal Famous?

Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon.

Wars

• Series of wars against India’s neighbors also added to Shah Jahan’s need for money

• Many wars fought in name of Islam against Christians, Hindus

• Unlike father, grandfather, Shah Jahan was Muslim who did not practice religious tolerance

Taxes

• Needed funds to pay for monuments

• Shah Jahan imposed heavy taxes on people

• Demanded half of all crops grown in the country

• Led to hardship, famine for many

cotton textiles world famous

Shah Jahan – Taj Mahal- blend Persian & Hindu traditions

fall behind Europe in invention & sciences

17th century rulers continued policy of tolerance towards Hindus

these rulers left daily administration alone – wives win influence

life of court women improves

position of women in the rest of society declines

lack of opportunity, burden of dowry

- birth of a girl an inauspicious event

Struggle for Power Aurangzeb - kills his brother - imprisons his father - devoutly Muslim - good things 1. forbid Hindu suttee 2. forbid illegal taxes 3. forbid gambling and drinking (failed) - bad things 1. new Hindu temples forbidden 2. non-Muslims driven from court 3. Hindus forced to convert to Islam

AurangzebAurangzeb

Killed his brother and imprisoned Jahan.

Devout Muslim and reinstituted restrictions on Hindus.

Policies lead to unrest and revolt throughout India.

Aurangzeb 1658 - 1707The Intolerant

• Aurangzeb ascended the throne after disposing his father and beating out his two brothers.

• Despot– severely persecuted Hindus of Northern India.

• Empire declines under his reign– He removed the tax-free status for Hindus– Destroyed their temples– Crushed semi-autonomous Hindu states

• Primary Interest - Promote Islam vs tolerance

Aurangzeb

• Aurangzeb over expanded the empire and strained his resources.– Large sums of money and manpower were lost.

– He lost the support of the Hindu people.

– The over expansion of his empire weakened his administration.

• Aurangzeb died in 1707s son Bahadur Shah succeeded him. Bahadur was so old by the time he

ascended the throne, he only managed to live a few more years. But at this point in time, the government was so unstable and so weak, the empire become an easy target of invasion and exploitation, first by the Persians, and then by the British.

• The death of Aurangzeb and the short reign of his son led to the end of the Mughal empire and the beginning of British Rule.

imperial decline

early 1700s – Aurangzeb- wants to control all of India- rid Islam of Hindu influence

warfare drains treasuryruler spends too much time on warinternal revoltreligious policies increase internal weaknesses

Hindus kept from highest government posts-head tax restored

state revenues & power passes to regional lords- previous pattern in South Asia

Power Struggle

• 1657, Shah Jahan grew terribly ill

• Sons began to maneuver to take throne

• Soon war broke out between them

Reign

• Early in reign, concerned with expanding India’s borders

• Empire reached greatest size at this time

• Later, Aurangzeb turned more to domestic affairs

Succession

• Shah Jahan unexpectedly recovered but son Aurangzeb captured him

• After locking father in prison, killed all rivals

• Brought head of brother in box to show father; then declared himself emperor

Aurangzeb

Aurangzeb’s Policies

• Restrictions on Hindus– Forbade sati—immolation of Hindu women on her

husband’s funeral pyre.– Forbade castration of men to create eunuchs.– Forbade Hindus to build new temples.– Reinstituted poll tax on all Hindus abolished by Akbar

• Introduced forced conversion to Islam.• All this led to revolts among large Hindu

population.– Radical Sikhism and Hindu Maratha nationalism

Aurangzeb’s Architectural Legacy

Bibi ka Maqbara, Aurangbab 1678Aurangzeb

Taj Mahal, Agra 1631-1652Shah Jehan

Built nearly 50 years apart, the Taj Mahal and the Bibi la Maqbara are very similar in architectural style. Aurangzeb’s other architectural legacy included:

• Moti Masjid (Delhi Fort), Delhi (1659)

• Buri-I-Shamali (Delhi Fort), Delhi

• Badshahi Mosque, Lahore (1674)

Zamindar System

• A type of feudal system put in place by Aurangzeb.

• Designed to collect taxes from peasants.

• Made a large wealthy class of Indian aristocrats--zamindars.

• Later, peasants who owned land would be known as zamindars.

THE ZAMINDARI SYSTEM

• The local level administration was carried on the local elites or hereditary landowners and in Mughal parlance known as zamindars.

• They claimed a hereditary right to collect a share in the revenue collection.

• For administrative purposes they could be categorized into three broad groups.

THE ZAMINDARI…

• AUTONOMOUS ZAMINDARS: the hereditary landowners who enjoyed sovereign powers. Rajput rulers, Jats (large peasant landowners) belonged to this category.

• INTERMEDIARY ZAMINDARS: the zamindars who collected the land revenue and paid to the imperial treasury or the jagirdars.

THE ZAMINDARI…

• PRIMARY ZAMINDARS: the proprietary rights over agricultural as well as habitational lands. Mughal emperors conferred such zamindari rights on people who cleared the forests or brought waste lands under cultivation.

Muslim Views• Worked to impose own strict

religious views on society

• Issued strict decrees about morality, personal behavior

Crushing Protesters• Crowds of Shia, Sufi Muslims

gathered to protest actions

• Aurangzeb ordered soldiers mounted on elephants to crush them

Religious Persecution• Persecuted Hindus, Sikhs

• Taxed them, forbade them high positions in government

• Destroyed their temples

God of All• Restrictions, persecution led

many to rebel

• One wrote: “God is the God of all mankind…not the God of Muslims alone.”

Domestic Affairs

Mughal Empire at the end of Aurangzeb’s reign in 1707

• Soon invaders poured into India from north

• Mughals continued to rule for about 150 more years, but held little power, controlled far less territory

• Eventually India fell under colonial sway of British as part of their global empire

Power and Territory Loss

• Aurangzeb enlarged Mughal empire, however his actions marked beginning of its end

• Due to harsh measures of regime, frequent rebellions broke out in later 1600s

• When Aurangzeb died, rival claims to throne led to civil war

Civil War

Decline of the Mughals

The Success of the Mughals

• It is agreed among many scholars that the Mughal empire was the greatest, richest and most long-lasting Muslim dynasty to rule India. This period of Mughal rule produced the finest and most elegant art and architecture in the history of Muslim dynasties.

• The Mughal emperors, with few exceptions, were among the world’s most aesthetically minded rules. Although Turkish and Persian in background, the Mughals were not Muslim rulers of India but Indian rulers who happened to be Muslims. This idea is most evident in Akbar’s obsession of a utopian India for Hindus and Muslims.

• The longevity of the Mughal empire can be contributed to a number of factors. The Mughal emperors were ambitious and for the most part able rulers. But Akbar is perhaps the Mughal emperor responsible for much of the prosperity and harmony achieved during the Mughal Empire.

Why was the Mughal Empire important?

The Mughals brought many changes to India:• Centralized government which brought together

many smaller kingdoms • Delegated government with respect for human rights • Persian art and culture • Persian language mixed with Arabic and Hindi to

create Urdu • Periods of great religious tolerance • A style of architecture (e.g. the Taj Mahal) • A system of education that took account of pupils'

needs and culture

Discuss the reasons for the failure of the Mughal Dynasty

• after Akbar needed reforms ignored• bureaucracy bloated & corrupt• army behind in weaponry & tactics• too many building projects – peasants standard of

living dropping• Aurangzeb wants to expand empire & convert Hindus• less tolerance• imperial system becomes overextended• internal rebellions• no temples allowed to be built• head tax re-instated• rulers extravagant & pleasure seeking

What weaknesses were common to all of the Muslim empires?

• succession problems • imperial central power weakens• power of regional aristocracy grows• failure to adapt Western military & scientific

advances• rulers better at conquests than administration• rulers too interested in pleasure seeking• too much building• peasants not taken care of

Arrival of British and End of Empire

Enter the British

• The English move into Bengal as the Mughal empire is falling apart in the 1700s.

• British East India Company came and built textile factories.– Also exporting cotton, indigo, opium, and tea

• Tribute system established– British promised to protect smaller Bengal states for a

fee, or subsidy• British East India Company had a small army of

British troops to defend it mainly from French and Mughals.– British feel threatened by Mughals

Mughal Opposition• Battle of Plassey, 1757, 3,000 British troops

defeat Mughal army of 30,000.– Mughal attempt to expel the British

• As a result, British East India Company obtains right to tax the local population of Calcutta (where the factories were).

• Battle of Buxar, 1767, British seize the emperor and install a puppet.

East India Company Rule

• Taxes• Move their operation into the interior of the

continent.• Built large estates in east, money now in the

hands of British and sent to Britain.• Local Indian industries put out of business.• Famine and bankrupt country—more taxes.• Inept rule over next 100 years.