In 1526, in what is now Northern India, Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi faced off against a prince from Central Asia, Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur. The Sultan brought his war elephants to battle, but the explosions of Babur’s cannons and muskets startled the elephants, causing them to trample the Sultan’s own army. Babur, who had long harbored ambitions of building his own empire, turned his attention to India. Despite his struggles to gain a foothold among the many ambitious princes in Central Asia, his descendants stayed in India and built the Mughal Empire, one of the wealthiest and most powerful states in the early modern world, home to nearly a quarter of the global population.
Babur died just four years after that fateful battle, but his own memoirs and the work of his descendants immortalized him in colorful fashion. His daughter, Gulbadan, recalled in her memoir how Babur, having recently given up drinking, filled a newly constructed pool with lemonade rather than wine. His grandson, Akbar, commissioned exquisite miniature paintings of Babur’s stories. It was Akbar who consolidated Mughal power. He established protections for peasants, which in turn increased their productivity generated more tax revenue, and embarked on military campaigns to expand Mughal territory.
Akbar rewarded princes who swore allegiance to him, while he made brutal examples of those who resisted, killing them and many of their subjects. His conquests opened access to port cities on the Indian Ocean, which connected the Mughals to Arab, Chinese, Ottoman, and European traders, bringing in incalculable wealth, including silver and new crops from the Americas. As the Muslim ruler of a diverse, multiethnic empire, Akbar worked to create internal cohesion by appointing members of the Hindu majority to high positions in his government, marrying a Hindu bride, and distributing translated copies of the “Mahabharata,” an ancient Indian epic poem, to his Muslim nobles.
The Mughals built architectural masterpieces such as the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort, a palace three kilometers around, that housed 50,000 people and contained the magnificent gold and jewel-encrusted Peacock Throne. Just the throne took seven years to construct. During its first 180 years, the Mughals had only six rulers, which contributed to the empire’s stability. When the fourth emperor, Jahangir, struggled with alcohol and opioid addiction, his wife, Nur Jahan, took the reins as co-ruler. When a traitorous general captured her husband in an attempted coup, she negotiated his release and rallied the army to stop the rebellion.
Following the death of the sixth emperor, Aurangzeb, in 1707, seven emperors took the throne over the next 21 years. These frequent transitions of power reflected the larger political, economic, social, and environmental crises that plagued the empire throughout the 18th century. In response to this turmoil, regional leaders started refusing to pay taxes and broke away from Mughal control. The British East India Company offered military support to these regional rulers, which in turn increased the company’s political influence, enabling it to eventually take direct control of Bengal, one of the wealthiest regions in India.
By the 19th century, the East India Company had massive political influence and a large standing army, which included Indian troops. When these troops revolted in 1857, aiming to force out the British and restore Mughal influence, the British government intervened, replacing company rule with direct colonial rule, deposing the last Mughal emperor, and sending him into exile. And so, over three centuries after its founding, the Mughal Empire came to an end.
Research the key events mentioned in the article and create a timeline. Use a large piece of paper or a digital tool to plot important dates and events, such as the Battle of 1526, Babur’s death, Akbar’s reign, and the decline of the Mughal Empire. Illustrate your timeline with drawings or images to make it visually engaging.
Divide into small groups and choose different historical figures from the article, such as Babur, Akbar, or Nur Jahan. Prepare a short skit or dialogue that highlights their contributions and challenges. Perform your skits for the class to bring these historical figures to life.
Use a map of India and surrounding regions to trace the expansion of the Mughal Empire. Mark key locations mentioned in the article, such as Delhi, the port cities on the Indian Ocean, and Bengal. Discuss how geography influenced the empire’s growth and interactions with other cultures.
Study the architectural achievements of the Mughal Empire, such as the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. Create a model or detailed drawing of one of these structures. Include information about its historical significance and the architectural features that make it unique.
Hold a class debate on Akbar’s policies of religious tolerance and their impact on the Mughal Empire. Divide into two groups: one supporting Akbar’s approach and the other critiquing it. Use evidence from the article to support your arguments and engage in a respectful discussion about the benefits and challenges of religious tolerance in a diverse empire.
battle – a violent confrontation between armed forces – The soldiers prepared for battle as they lined up on the battlefield.
Mughal Empire – a powerful empire that ruled over the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century – The Mughal Empire was known for its rich cultural heritage and impressive architectural structures.
war elephants – elephants that were trained and used in warfare – The use of war elephants gave the ancient armies a significant advantage on the battlefield.
cannons – large, heavy artillery guns used in warfare – The cannons fired with a deafening boom, causing havoc among the enemy ranks.
muskets – a type of long-barreled firearm used in the 16th to 18th centuries – The soldiers relied on their muskets to engage in long-range combat during the war.
empire – an extensive group of territories and peoples under a single supreme authority – The Roman Empire was one of the largest empires in history, stretching across three continents.
descendants – people who are descended from a particular ancestor or group – The descendants of the Mayan civilization still carry on their rich traditions and cultural practices.
Akbar – the third Mughal emperor known for his religious tolerance and administrative reforms – Akbar’s reign is often considered the golden age of the Mughal Empire.
conquests – the act of gaining control over a territory through military force – The Mongol Empire was known for its vast conquests and rapid expansion.
architectural achievements – impressive and notable structures or buildings created by architects – The Taj Mahal is one of the greatest architectural achievements of the Mughal Empire.