1. The Origins of Mughal Empire Ans: The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur, a Central Asian ruler who was descended from the Turko-Mongol conqueror Timur on his father's side and from Chagatai, the second son of the Mongol ruler Genghis Khan, on his mother's side. He finished his conquest of northern India in 1526, defeating the Delhi Sultan Ibrahim Shah Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat.
2. The Foundation of Mughal Empire: Ans: (15261858 AD). Foundation of Mughal Empire in India is starts with invasion of Babar descendant of Timur in 1526 who succeeded in routing Ibrahim Lodhi and Rana Sanga and consolidated his rule over northern India. There after his descendants never looked back. Akbar the Great a sparkling star in Indian history dreamt of a united India started conquering India with sword and diplomatically as well. Under the reign of mughals India flourished socially, economically as well as culturally. A very sound empire was established that lasted till fall of Aurangzeb and rise of Marathas. The volume has been weaved into eleven comprehensive chapters on Foundation of Mughal Empire. They have deep bearing on Babar, Humayun, Sher Shah Suri, Akbar the Great, Rise of the Maratha Power, Later Mughals, Maratha Ascendancy, Treaty of 1829 and Transfer of the Reserved Districts, Post Office and Communications, Public Charities, Raghuji's Character and Annexation of Nagpur to British Dominions.
3. India under Mughal Emperors: Ans: The Great Mughal Emperors were: Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jehan, and Aurangzeb. Babur's forces occupied much of northern India after his victory at Panipat in 1526. The preoccupation with wars and military campaigns, however, did not allow the new emperor to consolidate the gains he had made in India. The instability of the empire became evident under his son, Humayun, who was driven out of India and into Persia by rebels. Humayun's exile in Persia established diplomatic ties between the Safavid and Mughal Courts, and led to increasing Persian cultural influence in the Mughal Empire. The restoration of Mughal rule began after Humayun's triumphant return from Persia in 1555, but he died from a fatal accident shortly afterwards. Humayun's son, Akbar, succeeded to the throne under a regent, Bairam Khan, who helped consolidate the Mughal Empire in India. Akbar's son, Jahangir, ruled the empire at its peak, but he was addicted to opium, neglected the affairs of the state, and came under the influence of rival court cliques. During the reign of Jahangir's son, Shah Jahan, the culture and splendour of the luxurious Mughal court reached its zenith as exemplified by the Taj Mahal. The maintenance of the court, at this time, began to cost more than the revenue. Shah Jahan's eldest son, the liberal Dara Shikoh, became regent in 1658, as a result of his father's illness. However, a younger son, Aurangzeb, allied with the Islamic orthodoxy against his brother, who championed a syncretistic Hindu-Muslim culture, and ascended to the throne.
4. Babur (1526-1530): Ans: He was born in Feb 23, 1483, and he passed away in Dec 26, 1530. He ruled from 1526 to1530. He was a direct descendant of Genghis Khan through Timur and was the founder of the Mughal Empire after his victories at the Battle of Panipat (1526) and the Battle of Khanwa.
5. Humayun (1530-1556): Ans: He was born in Mar 6, 1508, and he passed away on Jan 1556. He ruled from 1530 to1540. His reign interrupted by Suri Dynasty. Youth and inexperience at ascension led to his being regarded as a less effective ruler than usurper, Sher Shah Suri.
6. Akbar (1556-1605): Ans: He was born in Nov 14, 1542, and he passed away on Oct 27, 1605. He ruled from 1556 to1605. He and Bairam Khan defeated Hemu during the Second Battle of Panipat and later won famous victories during the Siege of Chittorgarh and the Siege of Ranthambore; He greatly expanded the Empire and is regarded as the most illustrious ruler of the Mughal Empire as he set up the empire's various institutions; he married Mariam-uz-Zamani, a Rajput princess. One of his most famous construction marvels was the Lahore Fort.
7. The Great Jehangir (1605-1627): Ans: He was born in Oct 1569 and he passed away on 1627. He ruled from 1605 to1627. Jahangir set the precedent for sons rebelling against their emperor fathers. Opened first relations with the British East India Company. Reportedly was an alcoholic, and his wife Empress Noor Jahan became the real power behind the throne and competently ruled in his place.
8. Shah Jehan (1627-1658): Ans: He was born in Jan 5, 1592 and he passed away in 1666. He ruled from 1627 to 1658. Under him, Mughal art and architecture reached their zenith; constructed the Taj Mahal, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Jahangir mausoleum, and Shalimar Gardens in Lahore. Deposed by his son Aurangzeb.
9. Aurangzeb (1658-1707) <The Paragon of Stability> The Master Builder: Ans: He was born in Oct 21, 1618 and he passed away in Mar 3, 1707. He ruled from 1658 to 1707. He reinterpreted Islamic law and presented the Fatawa-e-Alamgiri; he captured the diamond mines of the Sultanate of Golconda; he spent the major part of his last 27 years in the war with the Maratha rebels; at its zenith, his conquests expanded the empire to its greatest extent; the over-stretched empire was controlled by Mansabdars, and faced challenges after his death. He is known to have transcribed copies of the Qur'an using his own styles of calligraphy. He died during a campaign against the ravaging Marathas in the Deccan.
10. The Crisis of Mughal Empire: Ans: The Mughal Empire is is growing in size from the time of Akbar. With the conquest of the South by Aurangzeb, it covered almost all India from Kashmir to river Kaveri and from Kabul to Chittagong it became too vast to be governed from one center at the command of one man. Communications were difficult. Distances were enormous. The Empire therefore began to sink under its own weight. It was because of the vastness of the empire. There were no systems of democratic decentralization in those days. The provincial Government looked to the emperor for orders. The burden of administration grew with the growth of the Empire. Its success depend only the ability of the Emperor. If the Emperors person declined or his policy turned wrong, the Empire was bound to suffer. This was because of the over -sized Administration. The first six Mughal Emperors from Babar to Aurangzeb are described as the great Mughals. The Emperors after Aurangzeb are called the latter Mughals. These later Mughal Emperor are weak and worthless. They could not save the Empire from rapid decline. This was because of the weak successors.
11. Mughal Commercial System: Ans: The Arrival of the Portuguese, the commercial Empire of Dutch, English and French Companies, The commercial revolution in India, the banking system, the separation between Political and Economic Elites.
12. Mughal Art and Architecture: Ans: Art and architecture under the Mughal era was a blend of Islamic and Persian architecture. Mughals introduced a lot of innovative ideas when it came to construction in the subcontinent. White marble, red sandstone and Gemstones were used in the Mughal architecture. Nearly 400 monuments have survived a time-span of 132 years. a characteristic Indo-Islamic-Persian style that flourished on the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal empire (15261857). This new style combined elements of Islamic art and architecture which had been introduced to India during the Delhi Sultanate (1192 1398) and had produced great monuments such as the QutbMinar with features of Persian art and architecture. Mughal monuments are found chiefly in N India, but there are also many remains in Pakistan. This article discusses these distinctive forms of art and architecture as they developed under a succession of Mughal emperors.