Babur (1526 - 1530)
- Babur, the founder of Mughal Empire in India, traced his ancestry to the Timurid dynasty.
- In 1517 Ibrahim Lodhi succeeded Sikander Lodhi.
- Embassies from Daulat Khan and Rana Sanga inviting Babur to displace Ibrahim Lodhi led to the 1st Battle of Panipat in 1526.
- Babur used an Ottoman (Rumi) device in this war.
- Babur also heavily used Gunpowder in this war, though it was known in India in earlier times.
- The Battle of Khanwa (1527) was fought between Rana Sanga and Babur. With the defeat of Sanga, Babur’s position got strengthened in the Gangetic plains.
- He declared the war as a Jihad and assumed the title Ghazi after his victory.
Literature:
- Babur composed Tuzuk-i-Baburi, a Masnavi and the Turkish translation of a well-known Sufi work. Tuzuk-i-Baburi was translated into Persian as Baburnama by Abdur Rahim Khankhana
Architecture
- Babur also established a tradition of Gardening by laying out a number of formal gardens with running water.
- He built two mosques, one at Kabulibagh, Panipat and another in Sambhal, Rohilkhand
Humayun (1530 – 1540 and 1555 - 1556)
- Humayun became the Mughal Emperor on 29 December 1530 at the age of 23.
- In the Battle of Chausa, 1539, Humayun was defeated for the first time by Shershah Suri.
- In the next year (1540) Shershah completely defeated Humayun in the Battle of Kanauj and founded the Sur dynasty.
- After the lapse of 15 years Humayun re-captured the Empire by defeating the last Sur ruler Sikhandar Shah Suri in the Battle of Sirhindh, 1555, after which he ruled only for 6 months.
- The period from 1540 to 1555 is known as the period of temporary eclipse of the Mughal.
- Humayun died by an accidental fall from the straicase of his Library ‘Shermandal’ at the Puranakwila in Delhi on 24 January 1556.
- Humayun was an accomplished mathematician and astronomer. He earned the title Insan-i-Kamil (Perfect Man), among the Mughals
- Humayun’s biography Humayun Namah was written by Humayun’s sister Gulbadan Begum. The language used to write this biography was a mixture of Turkish and Persian.
Architecture during Humayun’s Period
- The Purnakwila was constructed by Humayun but its construction was completed by Shershah.
- Humayun’s tomb is situated in Delhi (first building in India having double domes) which was built by Haji Begum
- Humayun tomb is known as predecessor of Tajmahal, because Taj was modeled after this, also known as a dormitory of the house of Timur. Mirak Mirza Ghias was its architect.
- In 1533 Humayun built the city of Dinpanah (world refuge) in Delhi.
Sher Shah Suri (Sur Empire)
- Shershah’s original name was Farid.
- His family came to India from Afghanistan.
- In the Battle of Chausa, 1539, Sherkhan defeated Humayun for the first time and assumed the name Shershah.
- Later in 1540 he completely defeated Humayun in the Battle of Kanaujand founded the Sur dynasty.
Architecture:
- Shershah constructed the Grand Trunk Road from Sohargaon to Attock (Calcutta to Amritsar) He introduced the National Highway concept for the first time in India. Now the Grand Trunk Road is known as Shershah Suri Marg. Its part from Delhi to Amritsar is known as National Highway -1.
- He also built roads from Agra to Jodhpur and Chitoor and Lahore to Multan. He built Sarais at a distance of every two Kos. These sarais later developed into Market towns, Qasbas. They were also used as stages for news-services, Dak-Chowkis.
- He built the Purana Qila in Delhi (its Construction was started by Humayun) and his own Mausoleum (Tomb) at Sasaram in Bihar.
- He also constructed the Khooni Darwaza (blood stained gate) the gate way of Firozshah Kotla in Delhi.
Economy and Administration
- He was the first ruler to introduce Silver Rupiya (one rupiya was equal to 64 dams) and gold coin Ashrafi.
- Administrative divisions:
- Iqta – Province under Haqim or Amin
- Sarkar – District under Shiqdar-i-Shiqadaran or Munsif-i-Munsifan
- Pargana – Taluk under Shiqdar or Munsif
- Gram – Village under Muqqadam or Amil
- He made local Muqaddams/Zamindars responsible for local crimes
- Hindi poet Malik Muhammed Jayasi completed his Padmavat, during his reign.
Mughal Empire | ||
| 1526 – 1530 AD | Babur | Founder of Mughal empire after the 1stBattle of Panipat |
| 1530 – 1540 AD 1555 – 1556 AD | Humayun | He was defeated by Sher Shah |
| 1540 – 1555 AD | Sur Empire | Sher Shah defeated Humayun and ruled from 1540-45 AD |
| 1556 | 2nd Battle of Panipat | Akbar Vs. Hemu |
| 1556 – 1605 AD | Akbar | Established Din-i-illahi, expanded Mughal empire |
| 1605 – 1627 AD | Jehangir | Captain William Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe visited Mughal court |
| 1628 -1658 AD | Shahjahan | The pinnacle of Mughal empire and art and architecture |
| 1658 – 1707 AD | Aurangazeb | Beginning of the decline of Mughal empire |
| 1707 – 1857 AD | Later Mughals | Decline and disintegration of Mughal empire with gaining strength of the British |
