A Simple Synopsis About Mughal Emperors in India

With the advent of the Mughals began a new era in Indian history. Babur established the Mughal Empire. He was related to Timur, the ruler of Iran, Iraq and Turkey. The Mughals did not like to be associated with the Mongols, who were terrible people. The Mongols had often raided the north-western frontier and killed many people. The Mughal emperors pointed with pride to their Timurid ancestors because Timur had seized Delhi in AD 1398. A Timurid prince of the fourth generation, Babur established the Mughal Dynasty. Thus, let us know about the Mughal emperor, supreme head of state and modern countries of India. 

Babur (1526–1530)

Babur beat Ibrahim Lodi in the Battle of Panipat in AD 1526. Babur was now the ruler of Delhi and supreme head of state. The most powerful chieftain against whom Babur had yet to fight was Rana Sanga of Mewar. Rana Sanga had organised a huge confederacy of Rajput chiefs against the Mughal emperors. The victory at Khanna (a village near Agra) gave Babur complete control over central India in AD 1527. He was the head of the modern countries of India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Humayun (1530-1556)

After the Mughal emperor Babur’s death, his eldest son, Nasir-ud-din Muhammad Humayun, succeeded him in 1536 CE. According to the Timurid custom, he had to share the power with his three brothers-Kamran, Hindal and Askari. He faced many difficulties during his kingdom. He fought the battle of Chausa and Kannauj with Sher Shah Suri and defeated him in 1540. He again invaded India in 1555.

Akbar (1556-1605)

Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar was also known as ‘Shahenshah Akbar-e-Azam or Akbar the Great. On 15th October 1542 CE, he was born in Umerkot, when his father Humayun was dethroned and helpless. He was crowned as the emperor in 1556 CE at 13 years. As he was a minor, his regent patron and mentor, Bairam Khan, looked after the kingdom until he attained 18 years. Akbar was a great warrior and an excellent administrator.

Jahangir (1605-1627)

Salim Nasir-ud-din was the fourth Mughal emperor who ascended the throne of Delhi after Akbar’s death in 1605 CE. Acquired the title ‘Jahangir’, meaning ‘Conqueror of the world’. His mother was the Rajput princess of Amer, Jodhabai, the daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amber. He was born after many prayers and by the blessing of Sheikh Salim Chishti, one of the revered sages of his time. He was named Salim to pay tribute to the saint.

Shah Jahan (1628-1658)

Prince Khurram succeeded Jahangir as the next Mughal emperor, taking the title of ‘Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Shah Jahan’. ‘Shah Jahan’ was born in 1592 CE to a Rajput princess Manmati, the daughter of Rana Udai Singh of Mewar. Shah Jahan was married to Arjumand Banu Begum, who was given the ‘Mumtaz Mahal’ title.

Aurangzeb (1658-1707)

Aurangzeb ruled for nearly fifty years. His rule extended almost the entire subcontinent – from Kashmir to river Kaveri in the South and from Kabul in the West to Chittagong in the east. He was the supreme head of state of modern countries of India. But he changed Akbar’s policy. He forced Hindus to pay the jizya. Therefore, he had a difficult time. He spent the last days of his reign attempting to suppress one revolt after another. 

Some other Mughal emperors:-

• Bahadur Shah I
• Jahandar Shah
• Farrukhsiyar
• Muhammad Shah
• Ahmed Shah
• Alamgir
• Shah Alam II 
• Akbar II
• Bahadur Shah II 

Aurangzeb in Deccan

Sambhaji took the throne after Shivaji. Aurangzeb reached the Deccan in 1681. He was determined to crush the Marathas, but his efforts did not bear the desired results. Aurangzeb annexed Bijapur in 1686 and Golconda in AD 1687. In AD 1689, Sambhaji was also defeated, captured and killed. But the Marathas continued to cause a lot of trouble. From AD 1700 to AD 1707, Aurangzeb remained in the Deccan. He died in AD 1707, with little success but a great loss of wealth and prestige. His absence from the north created disorder and weakened the empire.

Conclusion

We know about the major Mughal emperors from the above discussion in detail. We know the Mughal emperor was Babur, and he defeated Ibrahim Lodi in 1526 and invaded India. The Mughal emperor was known as the supreme head of state, and they were the heads of modern countries of India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Moreover, Aurangzeb was the last emperor who expanded the Mughal empire in the Deccan. And the successors of Aurangzeb were very weak and inefficient, and they are the reason for the fall of Mughal emperors in India.