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marks the beginning of the Mughal Empire. The forces of Babur, a Central Asian ruler who was descended from the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan, defeat the Lodi Empire of Northern India. This is one of the earliest battles to involve gunpowder, firearms, and field artillery. Babur's rule is marked by ongoing wars of aggression, which prevent him from stabilizing his empire.
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leads to difficulties with his son Humayun's succession. Some of the nobles instead try to install Humayun's uncle, Mahdi Khwaja, and, though they are defeated, it signals Humayun's weakness.
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Sher Shah Suri, the leader of the rival Sur dynasty, drives Humayun out of India and seizes power in 1540. Humayun takes refuge with the Safavid rulers in Persia, which serves to create a strong bond with the two dynasties.
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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.
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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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Khan is assassinated on a journey to Mecca
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under Bairam Khan, the Mughal army defeats the Surs and solidifies Akbar's control.
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he impatiently leads a revolt against his father
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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.
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dies on his way back from a visit to Kashmir
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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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Dara Shikoh, becomes regent for him.
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Aurangzeb had Dara Shikoh executed. 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.
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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
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leads a revolt against the British East India Company.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.
