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Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire was an Islamic empire that, at its height, ruled most of modern day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It lasted from 1526 to 1857.

1,601 Questions

What were the achievements of Akbar the Great?

Some things that Akbar the Great did for the Mughal Empire.

  • he tripled the size of the Mughal empire
  • he tripled the wealth of the Mughal empire
  • he eased taxes on the Hindu's even though he was Muslim
  • he established a new religion in attempts to promote tolerance
  • he created a huge library with over 24,000 books
  • he loved art and culture
  • he filled his kingdom with beautiful architecture, including walls, statues, a fortresses
  • he established a centralized government in the Mughal empire
  • he reformed the Mughal tax system
  • he appointed officials to oversee that taxes were executed fairly
  • he encouraged discussions, and debates among Muslims, Hindus, Christians
  • he appointed Hindus to several influential positions in government

Akbar was an awesome ruler.He acheived success in almost all fields from milatry to architecture and music.
Akbar's achievements were:

Removing tax-jizya

Mansabdari system

Friendly alliances with hindus

Din-I-Ilahi

Expansion of Empire

Conquests

Military achievement's

Akbar's Nine gems or Navratnas

Which Mughal Emperor was defeated by Sher Shah Suri?

Sher Khan defeated Emperor Humayun two times: first in the Battle of Chausa (1539) and then in the Battle of Kannauj/Bilgram (1540). Humayun had to flee from India. Sher Khan occupied the throne of Delhi and Agra under the title Sher Shah Suri and re-established Afghan rule in India, which is known as the Sur dynasty or the Second Afghan Empire(1540-1555).

How many daughters did akbar the great have?

Akbar had 36 wives and over 300 women in his Harem. His 3 major wives were Ruqaiyya Sultan Begum (Muslim; his cousin; married at the age of 9 and his most esteemed wife), Salima Sultan Begum (Muslim; the widow of his advisor, Bairam Khan) and Heera Kunwari/Harkha Bai (Hindu; misnamed as Jodha Bai; she bore his son and successor Jahangir).

In addition to this, two facts must be made clear that:

1. "Jodha Bai" was NOT the name of Akbar's Hindu wife. It was actually the name of Jahangir's Hindu wife a.ka. Taj Bibi Bilqis Makani (maiden name Jagat Gosain), princess of Jodhpur (hence the name 'Jodha'). Many people confuse the two names and believe Jodha was the name of Akbar's Hindu wife.

2. Akbar did NOT have a Christian wife. "Mariam/Maryam-uz-Zamani" was the name of Akbar's Hindu wife, after she gave birth to Jahangir. The name Mariam-uz-Zamani means 'Mary of the Age'. As the term 'Mariam' resembles the Christian names like Maria, Mary etc, hence people get confused that Akbar had a Christian wife.

How did shivaji kill Aurangzeb?

Shivaji Maharaj died April 3, 1680, due to fever and dysentery. There were rumors that he had been cursed by Jan Muhammad of Jalna, and that his second wife poisoned him.

What are the nine navratnas of Akbar?


Akbar's court had Navaratnas (Nine Jewels), meaning a group of nine extraordinary people. They included:

Abul Fazl (1551-1602) was the chronicler of Akbar's rule

Faizi (1547-1595) was Abul Fazl's brother. He was a poet who composed beautiful poetry

Miyan Tansen was a singer for King Akbar

Raja Birbal (1528-1583) was a poor Hindu Brahmin who was appointed to the court of Akbar for his intelligence, and became the court jester

Raja Todar Mal was a Hindu khatri and was Akbar's finance minister,

Raja Man Singh was the foremost ablest among Akbar's military commanders

Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana was a poet was

Fakir Aziao-Din was a mystic and an advisor.

Mullah Do Piaza was a advisor to Akbar.

  • Abul Fazl (1551-1602) was the chronicler of Akbar's rule. He authored the biographicalAkbarnama. Abul Fazl documented the history meticulously, over seven years, in three volumes, the third volume is known as the Ain-i-Akbari and a Persian translation of the Bible.[1]He was also the brother of Faizi, the poet laureate of emperor Akbar.
  • Faizi (1547-1595) was Abul Fazl's brother. He was a poet who composed beautiful poetry. His father was Mubarak Nagori, a scholar in the philosophy and literature of Greece as well as in Islamic theology.
  • Miyan Tansen was a singer for King Akbar, born as Tanna Mishra, a Hindu, in 1520, he was a poet himself. He learnt music from Swami Haridas and later from Hazrat Muhammad Ghaus. He was a court musician with the prince of Mewar and later was recruited by Akbar as his court musician. Tansen became a legendary name in India and was the composer of many classical ragas. He was an extraordinarily gifted vocalist, known for a large number of compositions, and also an instrumentalist who popularized and improved the rabab (of Central Asian origin). He was buried in Gwalior, where a tomb has been constructed for him. It is unclear if Tansen converted to Islam.
  • Raja Birbal (1528-1583) was a poor Hindu Brahmin who was appointed to the court of Akbar for his intelligence, and became the court jester. Born by the name Maheshdas, he was conferred the name Raja Birbal by the Emperor. Birbal's duties in Akbar's court were mostlymilitary and administrative but he was also a very close friend of the emperor, who liked Birbal most for his wit and humor. There are many witty stories of exchanges and interactions between the monarch and his minister that are popular today. Birbal was also a poet and his collections under the pen name "Brahma" are preserved in Bharatpur Museum. Raja Birbal died in battle, attempting to quell unrest amongst Afghani tribes in Northwest India.
  • Raja Todar Mal was a Hindu khatri and was Akbar's finance minister, who from 1560 onwards overhauled the revenue system in the kingdom. He introduced standard weights and measurements, revenue districts and officers. His systematic approach to revenue collection became a model for the future Mughals as well as the British. Raja Todar Mal was also a warrior who assisted Akbar in controlling the Afghan rebels in Bengal. Todar Mal had developed his expertise in Sher Shah's employment. In 1582, Akbar bestowed on the raja the title Diwan-I-Ashraf.
  • Raja Man Singh, was the Kacchwaha Rajah of Amber, a state later known as Jaipur. He was a trusted general in Akbar's army and was the grandson of Akbar's father-in-law. His family had been inducted into Mughal hierarchy as amirs (nobles). Raja Man Singh was the foremost ablest among Akbar's military commanders and assisted Akbar in many fronts including holding off advancing Hakim (Akbar's half-brother, a governor of Kabul) in Lahore. He was also the Mughal viceroy of Afghanistan, led campaigns in Bihar, Orissa, Deccan and was also the viceroy of Bengal.
  • Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana, a poet was the son of Akbar's trusted protector and caretaker when he was a teenager, Bairam Khan. After Bairam Khan was murdered treacherously, his wife became the second wife of Akbar. He is most known for his Hindi couplets and his books on Astrology.[2] The village of Khankhana, named after him, is located in the Nawanshahr district of the state of Punjab in northwestIndia.
  • Fakir Aziao-Din who was a mystic, and an advisor. Akbar regarded his advice in high esteem.
  • Mullah Do Piaza, an advisor to Akbar who was known for his intelligence.

Explain the causes for the decline of the mughal emperor in 18th century?

Causes for the end of the Mughal empire-:

  1. The later mughals were very weak. They were not as strong as their ancestors.
  2. They were not able to control a big empire.
  3. They used to spend time in luxory
  4. They were afraid of wars.
  5. The other emporors or dynasties became stronger and threatened them.
  6. The army was also not well organised.

Who established the mogul dynasty?

The Mongol Empire was ruled by Genghis Khan. He was named the ruler of the Mongols in the year 1206, and ruled until 1227. The empire lasted until 1368. Other rulers include Ogedei Khan (who ruled from 1229-1241), Guyuk Khan (1246-1248), Mongke Khan (1251-1259), Kublai Khan (1260-1294) and Toghan Temur Khan (1333-1370).

How did Aurangzeb treat non-Muslims?

Badly.

The Mughal Empire was known throughout its reign to have been a relatively beneficent Islamic State, especially under Akbar the Great. However, King Aurangzeb forcibly converted massive numbers of Hindus in India. He also led several campaigns to slaughter of several groups of Hindus who lived outside of his direct authority. He was known for destroying the three most sacred Hindu temples: the Kashi Vishwanath temple, Kesava Deo temple and Somnath temple and built large mosques in their place. Sikh leaders who opposed Aurangzeb's forced conversions were beheaded. Christians who had received aid and protection under Akbar the Great lost those benefits under the Mughal.

How many sons did Jahangir have?

Babur had four sons alive at the time of his death. Babur's sons were: Humayun and Faruq (died young) by Maham Begum, Kamran and Askari by Gulrukh Begum, Hindal and Alwar (died young) by Dildar Begum.

Which of the three mughal rulers tolerated all religions?

Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir,Shah Jahan mughal emperors who tolerated all religions.

Akbar is also known as the tolerant ruler. He never forced anyone in his kingdom to change his religion. He even removed Jazia (tax paid by the hindus for pilgrimage centres).

What was the official language of Mughal empire?

The language of the Mughal Empire, and therefore of the Mughal Court was Persian and Chagatai initially. Later Urdu was also used.

Why was the kohinoor diamond given to humayun?

We may never know the 'why' of anyone's motivation to pass along this diamond. But it has a remarkable history of being a 'spoil of war' or conquest.

You can read more about its travels through time, below.

Who was Humayun the son of Babur?

Babur had four sons Humayun, Hindal, Aksari and Kamran . Humayun was the eldest and the most loved son of Babur. After Babur's death, Humayun ascended the throne. Besides these four sons, Babur had an alleged son namely Altun Bishik.

Where is the Peacock Throne at present?

The name comes from the shape of a throne, having the figures of two peacocks standing behind it, their tails being expanded and the whole so inlaid with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, pearls and other precious stones of appropriate colors as to represent life, created for the Mughal Badshah Shah Jahan of India in the 17th century, which was in his imperial capital Delhi's Public audience hall, the Diwan-i-Am. Shah Jahan had the famous Koh-i-noor diamond placed in this throne. The French jeweller Tavernier, who saw Delhi in 1665, described the throne as of the shape of a bed (a "takhteh" or platform), 6 ft. by 4 ft., supported by four golden feet, 20 to 25 in. high, from the bars above which rose twelve columns to support the canopy; the bars were decorated with crosses of rubies and emeralds, and also with diamonds and pearls. In all there were 108 large rubies on the throne, and 116 emeralds, but many of the latter had flaws. The twelve columns supporting the canopy were decorated with rows of splendid pearls, and Tavernier considered these to be the most valuable part of the throne. Estimates of its value varied: Rs. 4 crore (Bernier) and Rs. 10 crore (Tavernier). Nader Shah invaded the Mughal Empire in 1738, and returned to Persia in 1739 with the original Peacock Throne as well as many other treasures taken from the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah. According to an article by the Sunday Tribune, : :: It was, accordingly, ordered that, in addition to the jewels in the imperial jewel house, rubies, garnets, diamonds, rich pearls and emeralds in all weighing 230 kg should be brought for the inspection of the Emperor and they should be handed over to Bebadal Khan, the superintendent of the goldsmith's department. There was also to be given to him 1150 kg of pure gold... The throne was to be three yards in length, two-and-a-half in breadth and five in height and was to be set with the above mentioned jewels. The outside of the canopy was to be of enamel work with occasional gems, the inside was to be thickly set with rubies, garnets and other jewels, and it was to be supported by 12 emerald columns. On the top of each pillar there were to be two peacocks, thick-set with gems and between each two peacocks a tree set with rubies and diamonds, emeralds and pearls. The ascent was to consist of three steps set with jewels of fine water". Of the 11 jewelled recesses formed around it for cushions, the middle one was intended for the seat it for Emperor. Among the historical diamonds decorating it were the famous Kohinoor (186 carats), the Akbar Shah (95 carats), the Shah (88.77 carats), the Jehangir (83 carats) and the second largest spinel ruby in the world - the Timur ruby (283 carats). A-20 couplet poem by the Mughal poet-laureate Qudsi, praising the Emperor in emerald letters was embedded in the throne. On March 12, 1635, Emperor Shah Jahan ascended for the first time the newly completed Peacock Throne. The French jeweller and traveller, Jean Baptiste Tavennier, who had the opportunity to examine the throne at close quarters, confirms the court chronicler's description... Its place in the two fortress-palaces of Delhi and Agra was usually at the Hall of Private Audience known as Diwan-I-Khas, although it was kept at the Hall of Public Audience known as the Diwan-I-Am when larger audience were expected.[1] After Nader Shah was assassinated in 1747, the original Peacock Throne was destroyed in the chaos that ensued. However, later Iranian thrones were referred to as Peacock Thrones, although they resemble a chair rather than a platform. An example of such a throne is the Naderi throne, built in 1812 for Fath Ali Shah Qajar. Another Iranian throne, built in 1836 for Mohammad Shah Qajar, is also called the Peacock Throne. Since then, the term Peacock Throne has come to refer not only to the actual throne, but to the Iranian monarchy itself.[citation needed] Hindu Nationalist groups have claimed that the Peacock Throne was originally some kind of Hindu throne, usurped by Islamic Mughal dynasty later. They claim that since Islam prohibits any depiction of living creatures, including peacocks, the throne could not have been of Islamic origin. Hindutva groups have made similar claims, opposing the views of mainstream historians, upon other Mughal and Muslim Indian things like the Taj Mahal. Though there remains very little evidence to substantiate the assertion that hindutva groups are debating the origins of Peacock throne - A charge levelled by Marxist orientalists and Islamists. This claim for the Peacock Throne is dubious because the Mughal Emperors of India did not follow a puritan, Wahhabi Islam, except Shah Jahan's son Aurangzeb. Most other sects and denominations of Islam are lenient about depictions of plants, birds, animals and humans, except of course Allah and Muhammad. Indeed almost all Mughal Emperors had their face portraits made by Court painters. The Peacock Throne is a flexible English term. It is also a rhetorical trope. Depending on context, the Peacock Throne can be construed as a metonymy, which is a rhetorical device for an allusion relying on proximity or correspondence, as for example referring to actions of the Mughal ruler or the shah or as "actions of the throne." The throne is also understood as a synecdoche, which is related to metonymy and metaphor in suggesting a play on words by identifying a closely related conceptualization, e.g., * referring to a part with the name of the whole, such as "the throne" for the mystic process of transferring monarchic authority, e.g., : :: "The bitter example of their own family history would sooner or later have driven Dara and Shuja and Aurangzeb and Murad to contend for the Peacock Throne with desperate fury."[2] * referring to the whole with the name of a part, such as "the throne" for the serial symbols and ceremonies of enthronement. * referring to the general with the specific, such as "the throne" for kingship.[3] * referring to the specific with the general, such as "the throne" for the truncated reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi or equally as well for the ambit of the Mughal or Persian monarchy.

Why did Babur come to India?

Babur was not content with ruling over the small kingdom of Farghana. He attacked Samarkand, but his uncles defeated him and he even lost his own kingdom Farghana. Thus, he became a wanderer. It was during this Period that he came to Kabul and captured it in 1504 and so came in touch with India whose wealth was a standing temptation. Babur had heard of the rich land called India and remembered his grandfather Timur's invasion of India. In 1517 and again in 1519, he swept down the Afghan plateau into the plains of India. He entered the Punjab in 1523 on the invitation of Daulat Khan Lodhi, the governor of the province, and 'Alam Khan, an uncle of Ibrahim Lodhi, the Delhi Sultan.

Who was Jahangir?

Jahingir's real name was Nur-ud-din Mohammad Salim. He was the fourth of the Mughal emperors He succeeded his father Akbar.

When was the Second Battle of Panipat fought?

There have been three Battles of Panipat:

  • The First Battle of Panipat (1526), between the Mughal Babur and the Delhi Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, resulting in a Mughal victory
  • The Second Battle of Panipat (1556), between the Mughal Akbar and Hemu, resulting in a Mughal victory
  • The Third Battle of Panipat (1761), between the Durrani Empire of Afghanistan and the Maratha Empire, resulting in a Durrani victory

Who were Akbar's grandsons?

Salim, Murad and Daniyal were the names of Akbar's sons. Salim was later known as Jahangir who succeeded Akbar.

Who was the first Mughal emperor of India?

Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur (1526-1530) was the founder of Mughal dynasty in India. His father was a descendant of Timur while his mother was a descendant of Chengiz Khan, two great conquerors. Babur established his new Empire in 1526, after defeating the Delhi Sultan Ibrahim Lodi in the 1st battle of Panipat. The Mughals ruled India from 1526 to 1857.

How much larger was the Roman Empire territory than the Han dynasty?

The Roman Empire covered 6.5 million square kilometres (2.51 million square miles) and was the 17th largest empire in history. The Mughal Empire covered 5 million square kilometres (1.93 million square miles) and was the 26th largest empire in history.

Who ruled after akbar?

Mughal rulers after Aurangzeb r called 'later Mughals'

Successors after Aurangzeb r;

Bahadur Shah,

Jahangir Shah,

Farrukhsiyar,

Mohammed Shah and the last mughal ruler is

Bahadur Shah Zahar

There r tottaly 12 rulers in Mughal Empire.

How old was Akbar when he was crowned king?

When Babur ascended the throne of Ferghana in 1494, he was only twelve years old. In 1526, he established the Mughal empire in India. At that time his age was 43 years.