-
Apr 21, 1526
Battle of Panipat
This battle marks the beginning of the Mughal Empire, this is one of the earliest battles to involve gunpowder, firearms, and field artillery. -
Dec 26, 1530
Babur's death
Due to instability within the empire, Babur's death in 1531 leads to difficulties with his son Humayun's succession -
Jan 1, 1540
Sher Shah Suri seizes power in 1540.
Some of the nobles try to install Humayun's uncle, Mahdi Khwaja, and, though they are defeated, it signals Humayun's weakness. Sher Shah Suri, the leader of the rival Sur dynasty, drives Humayun out of India and seizes power in 1540. -
Jul 23, 1555
The mongols return to power
Humayun takes advantage of the deaths of both Sher Shah Suri and his son and successor, Islam Shah, to march an army provided by his Persian allies back to India. He puts the army under the leadership of Bairam Khan, who proves himself a much more skilled tactician. -
Jan 30, 1556
Humayun's death
On January 27, 1556, 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
The Mughal army defeats the Surs
The rival Sur Dynasty once again attempts to seize power, under Bairam Khan, the Mughal army defeats the Surs and solidifies Akbar's control. -
Jan 31, 1561
Akbar has full control of the empire
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. -
Jahangir reveals a revolt against his father.
Jahangir is the declared successor, he impatiently leads a revolt against his father in 1599 while Akbar is occupied in a foreign military campaign. -
Jahangir succeeds as emperor.
Jahangir succeeds as emperor, thanks to the immense support of the harem women. During his rule, Jahangir is addicted to opium and alcohol and so neglects his role as ruler, allowing him to be manipulated by rival factions. -
Jahangir's death
Jahangir dies on his way back from a visit to Kashmir and is succeeded by his third son, Shah Jahan. It is during this period that the court's opulence becomes more expensive than its value. -
Shah Jahan makes a construction in memory of his 3rd wife
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. -
Dara Shikoh becomes regent of Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan falls ill in 1658, 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. -
The empire descends into chaos
Aurangzeb's son, Shah Alam, succeeds him in 1707 and tries to undo the disastrous policies of his father, but it is too little, too late. The empire descends into chaos and violent feuds after his death and starts to break up. -
Ends the Mughal Empire.
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the final Mughal ruler, leads a revolt against them, although he is in reality little more than a figurehead. 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.
