2. Mughal Empire before Aurangzeb
1. Babur
Real name (Zahir Ud Din Muhammad)
Defeated the Emperor of Delhi in 1526
(Battle of Panipat)
Ruled for 4 years (death)
3. Mughal Empire before Aurangzeb
2. Humayun
Took over in 1530
Lost many parts of empire to the Afghan Ruler,
Sher Shah Suri
Faced opposition from his brothers as well
1555 took over all lost regions
1556, tripped in his library and lost his life
4. Mughal Empire before Aurangzeb
3. Akbar
Was only 13 years old
In 1581, started a new religion, Din-e-Illahi
(mix of Islam and Hinduism)
Ruled for 50 years
Empire was very strong
Death in 1605
5. Mughal Empire before Aurangzeb
4. Jahangir
Akbar’s son Jahangir signed a treaty with
British in 1615
6. Mughal Empire before Aurangzeb
5. Shah Jehan
Real name, Khurram
Famous for the construction of Taj Mahal
(for his wife Mumtaz)
Lost battles against Persians (costly wars)
Defeated the Portuguese
Fell ill in 1657
Dispute amongst his four sons (all had
strong armies)
7. Mughal Empire before Aurangzeb
5. Shah Jehan
Shah Shuja and Murad, even got coins made
showing them as emperors
Dara Shikoh was the preferred choice of Shah
Jehan as emperor
Murad and Aurangzeb joined forces and
defeated Dara Shikoh
When Shah Jehan recovered he ordered all
armies not to march towards Agra, Aurangzeb
refused and defeated his father’s army led by
Dara Shikoh (May 1658)
8. Mughal Empire before Aurangzeb
5. Shah Jehan
Shah Jehan was taken prisoner and lived the
rest of his life in Agra (passed away in 1666,
buried in Taj Mehal)
10. Aurangzeb - Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad
Killed all 3 of his brothers
Spent a lot of time and money fighting
War against Rajputs 1679 – 1681
Rebellions with Sikhs and Jats
Tough campaign with Pathan tribes in
North
Longest fight against Shiva Ji (Maratha
leader in Deccan), originally brought
prisoner after defeat in 1665 but he
escaped
11. Aurangzeb - Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad
Fought for 25 years with the Marathas
(big impact on Mughal treasury)
Died in 1707 (age: 89, rule : 50 years)
(Largest Mughal Empire)
12. Aurangzeb’s Reforms
Reduced local taxes (over all taxation
rate was very high)
Almost emptied Mughal treasury fighting
different rebellions
Spent a luxurious life style (Example:
Pearl Mosque in Delhi)
Put a Ban on Suttee
Reintroduced Jizya Tax
13. Aurangzeb’s Reforms
Ban on dancing and use of Alcohol in
his court
Destroyed some Hindu Temples
Forced people to live an Islamic lifestyle
Fixed the length of Beard
Some Historians also say he was fair to
Hindus in his court and appointed Hindu
advisors. Also gave donations to some
Hindu temples.
14. After Aurangzeb:
To avoid wars, divided whole empire into his 3 sons
Fighting broke out and Prince Moazzum took
control
His four sons started fighting after his death
His successor, Jalandar Shah was murdered within
a year
Within 10 years, 12 different people claimed to be
the ruler of Mughal Empire
Mohammad Shah – ruler in 1719 (last leader to
claim to be the emperor)
15. Major Rivals of The Mughals:
1. The Persians
1738, Nadir Shah Invaded the empire
Defeated Muhammad Shah’s forces in 1739
Took over Delhi
Wanted as much booty as possible (Peacock
Throne)
Was not interested in ruling the empire
Took away all wealth and prestige of
Mughals
16. PEACOCK THRONE
The Peacock Throne was a famous
jeweled throne that was the seat of
the Mughal emperors of India. It was
commissioned in the early 17th century
by emperor Shah Jahan and was
located in the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of
Private Audiences, or Ministers' Room)
in the Red Fort of Delhi. The original
throne was subsequently captured and
taken as a war trophy in 1739 by the
Persian emperor Nadir Shah, and has
been lost since. A replacement throne
based on the original was
commissioned afterwards and existed
until the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
17. Major Rivals of The Mughals:
2. The Marathas:
Constant trouble for Mughals
Aurangzeb had fought with them for 25 years
Shivaji was originally defeated in 1665 ,
escaped later from Agra.
1737, defeated the Mughals and plundered
Delhi
Became the most powerful force in
subcontinent
18. Major Rivals of The Mughals:
3. The Afghans:
1747, Ahmed Shah Durrani attacked
Kabul, Peshawar and Lahore
1749, gained control of Punjab
1756, captured Kashmir and Multan
He defeated Marathas in 1761 (battle of
Panipat)
Durrani placed Mohammad Shah’s son
Ahmed Shah on throne
19. End of the Empire
Ahmed Shah was imprisoned and he died in jail
Alamgir II was assassinated in his own court
Shah Alam II remained in Bihar for 12 years
(Instead of Delhi) and was defeated in the
Battle of Buxar by the British
British took over Bengal, Orisa and Bihar
1803, they took Delhi under their Protection
Akbar II ruled parts of Delhi
Bahadur Shah Zafar II, lost the empire to British in
the war of Independence 1857.
