-
Jan 1, 1504
The Beginning of the Mughal Empire
Babur captures Kabul, making it and eastern Afghanistan the first possession of the Mughal empire -
Jan 1, 1556
Akbar inherits the Throne
Humayun (Kabul’s sucessor) dies and Akbar, the greatest of the Mughal emperors, inherits the throne at the age of thirteen -
Jan 1, 1573
The dome arcitecture is introduced
The tomb in Delhi of the Mughal emperor Humayun introduces the shape of dome which characterizes his dynasty's architecture -
The Mughal tradition of religious tollerance ends
Shah Jahan orders that all recently built Hindu temples shall be destroyed, ending the Mughal tradition of religious tolerance -
Construction on the Taj Mahal begins
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. -
Shah Jahan is held prisoner
For the final years of his life the emperor Shah Jahan is held a prisoner, by his son Aurangzeb, in Agra's Red Fort -
Arangzeb becomes emproer
Aurangzeb goes on to expand the empire, but his harsh religious conservatism undermines the stability of the empire. This marks the beginning of the decline of the Mughal's power. -
Aurangzeb dies and there is a long period of decline of the Mughal empire
The death of Aurangzeb introduces the long period of decline of the Mughal empire Aurangzeb's son, Shah Alam, succeeds him and tries to undue the disastrous policies of his father, but it is too little, too late. The empire descends into chaos and violent feuds.