Establishment: Babur
- Origin: Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, came from Central Asia (Uzbekistan).
- First Battle of Panipat (1526): Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi.
- Technology: His victory was due to the use of gunpowder, field artillery, and matchlock guns, which were new to Indian warfare.
Consolidation: Akbar (r. 1556–1605)
Akbar ascended the throne at age 13. His reign represents a blend of conquest and diplomacy.
- Conquest: Brutal seiges (e.g., Chittorgarh) initially, followed by strategic alliances.
- Diplomacy: He married Rajput princesses and appointed Rajputs to high positions.
- Religious Policy:
- Abolished the Jizya tax.
- Promoted Sulh-i-kul (Peace with all).
- Established the Ibadat Khana for interfaith dialogue.
- Translated Sanskrit texts (Mahabharata, Ramayana) into Persian.
Expansion and Decline: Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707)
Aurangzeb seized power after a bloody war of succession, executing his brothers (including Dara Shikoh) and imprisoning his father, Shah Jahan.
- Expansion: The empire reached its greatest territorial extent.
- Policy Shift:
- Reimposed Jizya and pilgrimage taxes.
- Banned music and dance at court.
- Ordered the destruction of temples (Kashi Vishwanath, Mathura) and Gurudwaras.
- The Decline: His constant wars in the Deccan for 25 years drained the treasury. His harsh religious policies alienated the Rajputs, Sikhs, and Marathas, leading to endless rebellions.
Note
Comparison of Reigns:
- Delhi Sultans: Average reign ~9 years.
- Mughals (up to Aurangzeb): Average reign ~27 years.
- Significance: The Mughals achieved far greater stability and continuity.