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Apr 21, 1526
Founding of the Mughal EMpire
The Founder of the Mughal Empire, Babur, defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last sultan of Delhi, in the First Battle of Panipat. The Mughals were of Central Asian decent, and claimed to be direct descendants of Genghis Khan and Timur. The empire at its height, stretched across the entire Indian subcontinent and part of Afghanistan. image source: http://www.alanwitschonke.com/images/childrens/childrens-01.jpg -
Dec 26, 1530
Ascension of Humayun
In 1530, Babur dies and his son Humayun takes over at the age of 22. He was unable to control the new Empire and in 1540 he was ousted by Shir Shah Sur who founded the Sur Empire. Humayun went into exile to Persia and Afghanistan. He was given troops by Iran’s Shah Tahmasp to recapture lost Moghul Empire territory in 1555. image source: http://thebangladeshtoday.com/media/2013/06/babur-340-x-450.jpg -
Jan 27, 1556
Ascension of Akbar
Humayun died in 1556, shortly after returning to the Mughal Empire. His 13-year-old son, Akbar, took over the throne under a regent named Bayram Khan. Together they strengthened the power of the throne and extended its authority. image source: http://www.facts-about-india.com/image-files/akbar-facts.jpg -
Jan 1, 1560
Akbar Unites the Empire
In 1560, Akbar ordered Bayram Khan to retire, and he took sole control of the empire at the age of 18. Akbar proceeded to expand the empire. He also established a non-discriminatory society and was able to achieve cooperation between the Hindus and Muslims. image source: http://www.royalbulletin.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/hindu-muslim.jpg -
Jan 1, 1572
Construction of Tomb of Humayun
In 1572, the construction of Humayun’s Tomb was completed in Delhi. Humayun’s wife, Bega Begum, commissioned the building of the tomb and hired Mirak Mirza Ghiyas to be the Architect. It was the first Indian building to use the Persian double dome style of architecture. This came to be a defining architectural style of the Mughal Empire for centuries to come. image source: http://www.trulyindiatravel.com/images/truly%20-%20humayun's%20tomb.jpg -
Ascension of Jahangir
Jahangir ascended to the Mughal Throne in 1605 upon the death of his father, Akbar. He attempted to take power through revolt in 1599, but was unsuccessful. Akbar reluctantly appointed Jahangir to keep the dynasty alive. It's speculated that Akbar died of poisoning at the hand of Jahangir. Jahangir continued the ways of his father and the empire flourished under his rule. He was known to have an addiction to alcohol, opium, and women.
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Shah Abbas takes Kandahar
Shah Abbas, the Persian Emperor, took Kandahar from the Mughals in 1622. A year later, Jahangir sent an envoy to negotiate peace with the Persians. This trip was successful, but Jahangir recognized the threat that the Safavid Empire posed and attempted to create an alliance between the Mughals and Ottomans to protect against the Safavids. This alliance never happened however due to Jahangir’s death.
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Ascension of Shah Jahan
Prince Hurram was chosen as the fifth Mughal emperor upon his father Jahangir’s death in 1628. He took the name of Shah Jahan. He expanded the empire by expanding and modernizing the military. The Mughal Empire was the wealthiest empire in the world during his reign. He was less religiously tolerant of non-Muslims and destroyed many Hindu temples.
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Second Mughal-Safavid War
The Second Mughal-Safavid War was fought from 1649-1653. While the Mughals were preoccupied with a war with the Uzbeks, the Safavids again recaptured Kandahar. The Mughal’s first attempt to recapture was halted by winter. The second attempt in 1653 was also unsuccessful and the Mughals gave up on Kandahar. image source: http://danamotor.ir/Chehelsotoon_Palace_Isfahan_Painting_Shah_Abbas.jpg -
Taj Mahal Built
In 1653, construction of the Taj Mahal was completed. Shah Jahan built the monument as a tribute to his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died in 1631, the same year the construction began. The Monument took 22 years to complete from the day it broke ground, and required 22,000 laborers to build. It is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. image source: http://whc.unesco.org/uploads/thumbs/site_0252_0008-750-0-20110920180709.jpg -
Ascension of Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb, son of Shah Jahan, was coronated in 1658. This was after he had his father imprisoned, and his three brothers had been executed. Aurangzeb expanded the Mughal Empire to its largest territory of the entire dynasty. The population reached between 100 and 150 million people at its peak under his rule. By the time of his death in 1707, the empire was centrally weak and beginning to decline. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/25608429.cms -
Bibi Ka Maqbara Construction
Aurangzeb built Bibi Ka Maqbara, which means “tomb of the lady”. It was completed in 1661 and is a monument dedicated to his mother, Dilras Banu Begum. Intended to rival the Taj Mahal, the “Taj of the Deccan” fell short due to its lack of finances and skilled labor. Bibi Ka Maqbara cost 700,000 Rupees to build; in comparison the Taj Mahal cost 32 million Rupees. image source: http://www.tourismguideindia.com/images/Maharashtra/Aurangabad/Bibi%20Ka%20Maqbara.jpg -
Ascension of Bahadur Shah
Bahadur Shah takes power from his father Aurangzeb after both of his brothers are defeated. He inherited a failing empire. Despite his attempts to quell the revolts that were happening all over the empire, the empire is in such decline that it lacks any central power and comes under the attack of various sub groups within the Empire. image source: https://ahmedamiruddin.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/2458424063_3b045bfc0a.jpg -
Ascension of Muhammad Shah
Muhammad Shah ascends to the throne in 1719 at the age of 17. He does so with the help of the Sayyid Brothers, powerful army generals who had been appointing emperors for the Mughal Empire in the early 18th century. The empire had been through 6 emperors in 8 years and Muhammad Shah put an end to the Sayyid influence by having them killed in 1720. Muhammad Shah ruled the Mughal Empire until his death on April 26, 1748.
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Invasion of Nadir Shah
In December of 1738, the Persian emperor, Nadir Shah moved on from Kandahar to Kabul. Kabul had been in Mughal hands since Babur took it in 1526. Nadir Shah took Kabul and then moved into India and defeated the Mughal Army http://www.afghanzariza.com/files/large/e048df4392e0c3e -
Plunder of Delhi
In 1739, Nadir Shah entered Delhi and soon after a riot broke out leaving 900 Persian soldiers dead. Nadir Shah had stones threw at him and was shot at by the citizens of Delhi. He ordered a day long massacre as punishment and killed more than 30,000 Delhiites. Nadir Shah then ransacked the city and sent all of the valuables back to Persia.
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Carnatic Wars
The Carnatic Wars began in 1746 and involved the French and British East India Companies and their native backers. Through three wars that lasted until 1763, these two trading companies fought for control of the Indian Subcontinent. The British East India Company was ultimately victorious and emerged as the dominant European force in India.
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Battle of Plassey
After the Battle of Plassey, the British East India Company gained political power in India. They had a hand in some of the Mughal Emperor appointments until the British Crown took control in 1858. http://www.historytoday.com/sites/default/files/plassey.jpg -
Afghan Invasion
On January 14 in 1761, A Mughal backed Afghan force invaded India and fought against the Marathas who were in control of the Empire. The Hindu Maratha force was defeated in the 3rd Battle of Panipat. Shah Alam II was the leader of the Mughal Empire at this point, but was later kicked out of Delhi by the East India Company. Shah Alam returned to Delhi in 1771 with the support of the Marathas.
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East India Company Takes Control
The Maratha backed Mughal leaders had been fending off the East India Company for decades. In November 1817, 111,000 East India troops invaded Maratha territory. The British were victorious and this left the East India Company in control of virtually the whole of India. http://www.victorianweb.org/history/empire/india/eastindia.jpg -
British Crown takes Control
On May 10 1857, a rebellion against the East India Company took place by the Hindu and Muslim troops that were employed by the East India Company. The rebellion was no match for the sophistication of the East India Company. Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was tried for treason as a result and exiled to Rangoon. He was the last Mughal to rule in India. Shortly after, the British Crown took control of India and Queen Victoria became the Empress of India.
http://www.information-britain.co.uk/show
