Mughal Empire1500-1600

After the fall of the Gupta Empire at around 500 BC, the Muslims of the Islamic faith filtered in and spread their culture as the city of Delhi ruled India until the 1500’s.

Blending of Cultures

• During this time period the culture of Buddhism/Hinduism blended with the Islamic faith to create diverse Indian culture.

Babur

• The Mughal were Mongol warriors of Mongolia who tried to conquer Central China and failed and preyed on the weakness on the Delhi Sultanate of India. Under the leadership of Babur, they conquered India and established an Empire

Akbar the Great(Grandson of Babar)

• Upon Babur’s death shortly after conquering India, his grandson Akbar assumed the throne at age 13. Realizing that the diversity of India may lead to rebellion he worked hard to unify the people and brought Northern India under one rule. His marriage to and Indian noble helped the cause.

Akbar achievements

• Religious tolerance (Buddha, Islam, Hindu and Christian)

• Reduced the high taxes enforced on Muslims• Placed Hindus and other religious leaders as

government officials• Established a central government• Reformed a fair tax

Jahangir(son of Akbar)

• Impatient to rule, he rebelled against his father questioning his methods, later reconciled.

• Upon his fathers’ death he assumed the throne

• Was a ruthless but good leader, since his wife was Persian he excepted the Persian culture as part on the Mughal way.

Sikhism• Under Jahangir the religion of Sikhism was created– Sikhism was the blending of Hindu and Islam• 1 God-non physical but spiritual form (Muslim)• Afterlife and reincarnation (Hindu)• Goal Moshka-to be released form the cycle of rebirth (Hindu)• No pilgrimage or Yoga-meditation (Muslim)

Shah Jahan(son of Jahangir)

• Love for art and literature (from father)

• Cultural “Golden Age” under him

• Built the Taj Mahal• Rebuilt Delhi

Symbols of the Mughal Dynasty

Taj Mahal

Peacock ThroneDelhi

The Decline!• Taxes grew very high to pay for the eloborate

monuments, eventually Jahan asked for ½ of all crops grown, which led to hardship and famine.

• A series of religious wars facing Islam against Christians and Hindu’s, cost money.

• Jahan being Muslim was not very tolerant religiously.

Aurangzeb(Son of Jahan)

• Aurangzeb was a poor and violent leader

• Aurangzeb was one of two brothers, who fought over the throne when Jahan became ill.

The Fall of the Mughal Dynasty• When Jahan recovered

Aurangzeb imprisoned his father.

• Killed his brother and beheaded him.

• Brought the head of his brother to show his father and declared himself Emperor.

The Fall Continued

• Although the borders of the Mughal dynasty was largest under Aurangzeb the pillars within were beginning to fall.– Enforced strict religious views and morals– Ordered Muslim rebels crushed with elephants by

Mughal soldiers– Persecuted Hindu’s and Sikh’s by over taxing them,

destroying their temples and forbidding them as officials.– Led to Civil War and rival countries destroyed the Mughal

Empire.