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Fought between the invading forces of Babur and the Lodi Empire. One of the earliest battles to involve gunpowder, firearms, and field artillery. The forces of Babur, a Central Asian ruler who was descended from the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan, defeat the Lodi Empire of Northern India.
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December 26, 1530 Babur's death was announced
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Humayun succeeded his father as ruler of the Mughal territories in the Indian subcontinent.
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Overthrew the government of the Emperor Humayun in 1540 and seizes power.
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He gathered a large army which he placed under the leadership of Bairam Khan, a great military strategist. Bairam Khan led the army and successfully laid claim to the throne for the Mughals. Once again Humayun claimed Babur’s throne.
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Shortly after retaking power, Humayun stops for daily prayer in the middle of carrying books down a flight of stairs and trips. He is fatally injured and dies three days later.
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Humayun's son, Akbar, succeeds him under a regent, Bairam Khan, the general who had won victory for his father. Under Bairam Khan, the Mughal army defeats the Surs and solidifies Akbar's control.
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Under the guidance of his mother and other supporters, Akbar strips Bairam Khan of the regency, and Khan is assassinated on a journey to Mecca. Akbar is now in full control of the empire. He is known for developing trade with Europe, developing a strong system of administration, and growing the economy. He is able to acquire flintlock guns from Europe, which give him a huge military advantage.
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Akbar's oldest son, impatiently leads a revolt against his father in 1599 while Akbar is occupied in a foreign military campaign. While he is defeated, he still has enough political support from the women in Akbar's harem, including Akbar's mother, to retain his role as successor.
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Jahangir succeeds as emperor, thanks to the immense support of the harem women. His eldest son, Khusrau Mirza, unsuccessfully rebels against him and that causes Jahangir to kill all his son's supporters and blind him. Later on , Jahangir is addicted to opium and alcohol and so neglects his role as ruler, allowing him to be manipulated by rival factions.
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Jahangir dies on his way back from a visit to Kashmir and is succeeded by his third son, Shah Jahan.
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Shah Jahan begins construction on the Taj Mahal in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The white marble mausoleum is recognized by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture.
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Shah Jahan falls ill and his eldest son, Dara Shikoh, becomes regent for him. However, due to his liberal politics, his younger brother, Aurangzeb, allies with conservative Islamic factions to oppose him.
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Aurangzeb defeats Dara Shikoh and has him executed. Though Shah Jahan has recovered by this point, Aurangzeb declares him unfit for rule and has him imprisoned.
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Aurangzeb's son, Shah Alam, succeeds him and tries to undo the disastrous policies of his father, but it is too late. Empire descends into chaos and violent feuds after his death and starts to break up.
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British East India Company has become the protector of the Mughal Empire, using it to solidify their claim on trade with India. Bahadur Shah Zafar, the final Mughal ruler, leads a revolt against them and the revolt is defeated and the Mughals deposed by the East India Company, which assumes formal control over the country and ends the Mughal Empire.
