MUGHALS - 1

Ancient and Medieval History(PCS) Mughal Period

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MUGHALS - 1

MUGHALS

Babur (1526-30)

Full Name-Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur., Father- Umar Shaikh Mirza, Belonged to Chagatai race or Turks, Born-at Ferghana, in 1483
First invasion of India agains Yusufzai tribe In 1519.
His autobiography Tuzuki-I-Baburi in Turk. Its Persian translation as Baburnama.
Wrote poems in Persian and invented new style of metrics (chhands)as Mubaiya.
Prominent poet of Turk language and in it he wrote Diwan as a leading work.
Laid foundation of Mughal dynasty in India by defeating Ibrahim Lodi in first battle of Panipat in 1526.
In 1527 he defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar in battle of Khanwa on the bank of river Piliakhar.
In 1529 he defeated Ibrahim Lodi’s younger brother, Mahmud Lodi in battle of Ghaggarar.
His Indian empire extended from Himalyayas in north to Gwalior in South and from Khyber pass in west to border of Bengal in east.
At Panipat, Raja Bikramajit of Gwalior allied with Ibrahim Lodi. Humayun got the Koh-I-noor from Bikramajit’s family.

Humayun (1530-40 and 1555-56)

Full name-Nasiruddin Muhammad Humayun, Birth-1508, in Kabul., At the age of 12 years governor of Badkkhashan.
Built Dinpanah (6th city of Delhi) inDelhi. It was his capital.
In 1532, defeated Afghans under Mohammad Lodi at Dauhrua.
In 1530, attacked Kalinjar.
In 1539, Afghans leader Sher Shah defeated him at Chausa (Bihar)
In 1540 Sher Shah again defeated him in battle of Kanauj.
Architect of Humayun’s tomb; Mirza Inayatullah.

Humayun brought two painters from Iran-Mir Sayyad Ali and Abdus Samad.
Humayun made a water carrier, Nizam ruler for one day, because he had saved his life during battle of Chausa (1539) against Sher Shah.
Humayun married Hamida Banu begum in 1541
Akbar (Salim) was born at Amarkot in 1542.
Sons-Salim, Murad, Daniyal
Died in 1556 of fall from his library Sher Mandal.
His tomb in Delhi,built by his widow Hamida Banu during the reign of Akbar.

Akbar (1556-1605)

In 1556 crowned at Kalanaur (Punjab) at the age of 13 years.
2nd battle of Panipat 5th Nov. 1556 defeated Hemu Baqqal/ Hemchandra, commander of Mohammed Adil Sur Hemu’s title Vikramaditya/ Vikramajit.
Bairam Khan was his regent from 1556 to 1560. Bairam Khan was a Shia.
Bairam Khan was assassinated by Mubarak Khan at Patan (Gujarat ) on his way to Mecca.
Bairam’s widow Salima Begum was married to Akbar and her son (from Bairam Abdur Rahim joined the court of Akbar later became the Khan-I-Khanan.
Akbar’s full name; Jalaluddin Mohammed Akabr.
His chief advisor Mir Abdul Latif.
His tomb at Sikandara, near Agra.
Laid the foundation of Fateh Pur Sikri as his capital.
In 1576, the battle of Haldighati was fought between Maharana Pratap and Akbar.
Learnt the principles of Sulah-I-Kul from his teacher Mir abdul Latif.
The last battle fought by Akbar was Asirgarh in 1601.

Religious policy

In 1582, he started Din-I-ilahi (Tauhid-I-Ilahi)
Pilgrim tax and Jaziya were abolished in 1563 and 1564 respectively.
Set up Ibadat Khana at Sikri for religious discussion, held on every Thursday evening from 1575.
Later Ibadat Khana was opended to Scholars of all faiths.
In 1579 Akbar read the Khutba (written by poet Faizi)
In his own name like the prophet and Caliphs.
1579 proclamation of the Mahzar,all imams signed it whereby he became Imam-I-Adil, the supereme interpreter of Islamic law in all controversial matters, it made him higher than a Mujtahid (interpreter of Islamic law)
in 1582 Tauhid-I-Ilahi (Divine monotheism) was initiated 80 years later it came to be called Din-I-Ilahi. It was sufistic.

Jahangir (1605-1628)

Jahangir was born on 9 September 1569 at Fatehpur Sikri.
on Akbar’s death in November 1605, he assumed the throne. Though his own son, Khusrau, then seventeen years old, led a military campaign against his father, Jahangir captured him and rendered him blind.
In 1611, Jahangir married Mehrunissa, assumed the title of Nur Jahan, ‘Light of the World’.
his daughter, Mumtaz Mahal, was married to Khurram (later Shah Jahan), Jahangir’s other son, in 1612.
Nur Jahan married her daughter to Shahryar, Jahangir’s youngest son from his other queen, in the hope of having a living male heir to the throne when Jahangir died.
Jahangir lacked the political enterprise of his father Akbar. But he was an honest man and a tolerant ruler.
He strived to reform society and was tolerant towards Hindus, Christians and Jews. However, relations with Sikhs were strained, and the fifth of the ten Sikh gurus, Arjun Dev, was executed at Jahangir’s orders for giving aid and comfort to Khusrau, Jahangir’s rebellious son.
Art, literature, and architecture prospered under Jahangir’s rule, and the Mughal gardens in Srinagar remain an enduring testimony to his artistic taste.

Shah jhahan (1628-58)

Popular name-Khurram, Birth-1592 at Lahore., Death-1668., Tomb-Agra (Taj Mahal), Married to Banu Begum (later Mumtaj Mmahal), daughter of Ashaf Khan.
Born to Jagat Gosain, daughter of Mota Raja Udai Singh of Jodhpur.
Dawarbaksh and Gurshasp the sons of Khusrau, Tahmurs and Hosnang the sons of Danyal along with Shahryar were killed.
Asaf Khan (father-in-law) official title ‘Uncle’ was given mansab of 9000 Zat and Sawar Du Aspa Sih Aspa.

Aurangzeb (1658-1707)

Full name Muhiuddin Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir., 3rd son of Mumtaz., Born in 1618, at Dohad/ Dhud., Married Dilras Banu Begum, Adopted title Alamgir (world victor),
In 1679 reimposed Jaziya.
Abolished Rahdari (toll tax) and Pandari tax. (custom)
Festival of Nauroz was banned.
Weighing of ruler (tuladan) on his birth day was stopped.
Jharokha darshan (King’s appearance before people in the morning ) was stopped.
Bijapur (1686) and Golconda (1687) were annexed.
Executed Shivaji’s son, Shambhajee.
His tomb is located in Aurangabad.
Expert Vina player.

Rebellions

In 1669, Jats under golek.
In 1672, Satnamis, nick-named Mundiya Sadhus, founded by Birbhan near Narnaul revolted.
In 1685, second Jat rebellion under Raja Ram and his successor Churaman
In 1667, Yusufzai tribe of Afghans, under the Raushanai movement led by Bhagu rebelled.
In 1672, second Afghan rebellion by the Afridi tribe led by Akmal Khan.

Facts about dara shikoh

He was the eldest son of Shah Jahan and most favourable candidate for throne.
Liberal and polite in nature.
Follower of Qadiri Silsila of Sufism.
He was disciple of Minya Mir and Mulla Shah Badkhshi.
Shah Jahan conferred upon him title Shah-e-Buland-Ekbal.
Translated Upanisads into Persian.
His main works are:
Safinat-ul-Auliya-Biographies of Sufi Saints.
Sakinat-ul-Auliya-Biographies of his gurus: Miyan Mir & Mulla Shah.
hasanat-ul-Arifin-Collection of his religious views
Majama-ul-Bahrain-Collection of his religious views.
Sirr-I-Akbar-Translation of Upanisads.

Books translated into persian

Baburnama-Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khanan.
Mahabharat-Abdul Qadir, Badayuni, Naqib Khan and Sheikh Sultan as Razmanama
Ramayana-Adbul Qadir, Badayuni, Naqib Khan and Sheikh Sultan.
Atharvaveda-Hazi Ibrahim Sirhindi
Panchatantra-Abul Fazl. As Anwar Suhaili
Rajatarangini-Mulla Shah Muhammad.
Lilavati-Faizi
Nal-Damayanti-Faizi
Bhagavat Gita- Faizi, also Dara.
Haribans Purana- Maulana Shairie.
Kalia Daman- Abul Fazl.
Sinhasan Batisi- Faizi and others.

Administration

Territory of empire was divided into Khalsa, Jagir and Inam.
Only autonomous rajas were allowed to maintain their traditional lands called Watan Jagir.
The empire was divided into Subas (provinces).
In Akbar’s reign 12 Subas, later 15, Aurangzeb had 21 subas.
Initially Wakil was all powerful prime minister, but was stripped off its powers and made into principal revenue advisor only.
Akbar used the term Diwan or Diwan-I-Ala in lieu of Wakil.
Mir Bakshi: Head of military Department.
Barids: intelligence officers.
Waqia-navis : News reporter.
Mir-Saman: Incharge of imperial house hold.
Qazi-ul-Qazat: Chief Qazi (chief justice)
Abdul nabi was Akbar’s chief Qazi.
Sadr-us-Sadr: Incharge of charitable and religious endownments.
Diwan-I-Bayutut : incharge of Karkhanas.
Gushal-Khana: Private consultation Chamber.
Mir-Atis : Incharge of ordinance department.
Mir-I-Bahr: Incharge of boats.
Mir-Munshi : Incharge of correspondence
Daroga-I-Taksal : Incharge of mints.