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Apr 21, 1526
The Battle of Panipat
marks the beginning of the Mughal Empire. The forces of Babur, a Central Asian ruler who was descended from the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan -
Dec 26, 1530
Babur's death
leads to difficulties with his son Humayun's succession. -
Dec 29, 1530
Humayun's throne
Humayun gains the throne -
May 22, 1540
Sher Shah Suri (seizes power).
the leader of the rival Sur dynasty, drives Humayun out of India and seizes power. -
Jul 23, 1555
deaths of both Sher Shah Suri and his son and successor Islam Shah
Humayun takes advantage of the deaths of both Sher Shah Suri and his son and successor, Islam Shah -
Jan 27, 1556
Mughals to power
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. -
Nov 5, 1556
Humayun's son, Akbar
under Bairam Khan, the Mughal army defeats the Surs and solidifies Akbar's control -
Jan 31, 1561
Khan is assassinated on a journey to Mecca
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. -
Jahangir successsor
Though Jahangir, Akbar's oldest son, is the declared successor, he impatiently leads a revolt against his father -
Jahangir succeeds as emperor
Jahangir succeeds as emperor, thanks to the immense support of the harem women. His eldest son, Khusrau Mirza, unsuccessfully rebels against him. Jahangir kills all his son's supporters and blinds his son -
Jahangir dies
Jahangir dies on his way back from a visit to Kashmir and is succeeded by his third son, Shah Jahan. -
construction on the Taj Mahal
Shah Jahan begins construction on the Taj Mahal in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. -
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. -
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. Aurangzeb goes on to expand the empire -
Aurangzeb's son
Aurangzeb's son, Shah Alam, succeeds him -
British East India Company
the British East India Company has become the protector of the Mughal Empire, using it to solidify their claim on trade with India.
