-
Apr 21, 1526
Battle of Panipat
Marks the beginning of the The Mughal Empire. Earliest battle involving gunpowder, marking the age of new war. -
Dec 26, 1530
Babur's death
Not allowing his son Humayun's succession, having his uncle ascend to power instead. -
Jan 25, 1531
Humayun Gains The Throne
Mahdi Khwaja, is defeated and Humayun Gains The Throne -
Jul 23, 1555
Huyman taking advantage
On July 23, 1555, 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. He retakes Delhi for Humayun and restores the Mughals to power. -
Jan 25, 1556
Death of Humayun
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
Humayun's Succeder
Humayun's son, Akbar, succeeds him under a regent, Bairam Khan, the general who had won victory for his father. The rival Sur Dynasty once again attempts to seize power. On November 5, 1556, under Bairam Khan, the Mughal army defeats the Surs and solidifies Akbar's control. -
Jan 31, 1561
Akbar's reign
On January 31, 1561, 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. -
Jahangir against his father
Though Jahangir, Akbar's oldest son, is the declared successor, he 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. -
Violent and drug addicted Jahangi
1605 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. 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 is dead
In 1628 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. -
Taj Mahal Tomb
In 1632 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. -
Shan Jahan illness
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. -
Aurangzeb deafeats Dara Shikoh
In 1659 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, but his harsh religious conservatism undermines the stability of the empire. This marks the beginning of the decline of the Mughal's power. -
Shah Alam
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. -
British East India Company protection
By 1858 the 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, 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.
