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Mogul Dynasty
Moguls (not natives of India) started new dynasty, founded by Babur
Babur inherited empire from Timur Lenk, a descendent, commanded group of
warriors who seized Kabul, then years later crossed the Kybher Pass to India
Balbur captured Delhi and established power in plains of North India
Reign of Akbar
Baburs grandson named Akbar brought Mogul rule to most of India by using
heavy artillery with powerful negotiantors and armies
The empire was centralized and was a collection of semi-independent states
held together by power of the emperor
Abkar best known for humane character, had religious tolerance, tolerance
with government, trade and manufacturing flourished
Local officials, people who received plots of farmland for temporary use, were
called zamindars,
Textiles, food products & spices, precious stones, traded for sold & silver
Mogul Decline
Akbars son named Jahangir strengthened central government, but one of his
wives used her position to enrich her family (Nur Jahan) and arranged
marriage of her niece to her husbands successor, Shah Jahan
He maintained political system and expanded boundaries of empire through
successful campaigns in Deccan Plateau
He couldnt deal with domestic problems, was compelled to raise taxes,
many people lived in poverty
He got sick and died, so his son, Aurangzeb, became his successor and
forbade the Hindu custom of suttee (cremating widow on husbands funeral
pyre) and levying of illegal taxes
Tried forbidding gambling and drinking, he was a devout Muslim, and his
policies led to Hindu outcries and domestic unrest, Delhi was sacked by
Persians, left in ashes
British in India
British arrival hastened decline of Mogul Empire, trading forts established at
Surat, Fort William, and Chennai, British carried cotton goods to trade for
spices
French was a rival, went offensive on British, but they were saved by military
genius Sir Robert Clive, a builder. He became chief representative in India,
and it became his power to protect India
Society & Daily Life in Mogul India
Women played active role in Mogul tribal society and sometimes fought in
battle along men
Also gave political advice, and woman from aristocratic families received
salaries and were allowed to own land and take part in business activities
Child marriage was common, and Mogul era saw emergence of wealthy
landed nobility and prosperous merchant class
Mogul Culture

 Moguls brought Persian and Indian influences together beautifully,

symbolized by Taj Mahal, built in Arga by emperor Shah Jahan, built in
memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal
project employed twenty thousand workers, and to finance, many peasants
went broke
Painting was also very famous and a Mogul school of paintin was created