Babur (1483–1530 CE)
Real Name
Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur
Descent
Turkish (Father) + Mongol (Mother)
Title Badshah adopted
1507 CE
Capital before India
Kabul (1504–1526 CE)
Coin issued
Shahrukh (Silver)
Land measurement
Gaz-e-Babri
Death & Burial
1530 CE — Agra. Buried in Kabul.
India Invasion — Background
- Invited by Daulat Khan Lodi to invade India
- Learned Tulughma strategy from Uzbeks
- Use of guns from Iranians
- 7 major Indian kingdoms at the time of arrival
- Muslim kingdoms: Bengal, Delhi, Malwa, Bahmani, Gujarat
- Hindu kingdoms: Mewar (Rana Sanga), Vijayanagara (Krishna Deva Raya)
Babur's 4 Major Battles
Memory Trick — Babur's Battles
Mnemonic: PAN–KHA–CHA–GHA
PAN = First Battle of Panipat (1526) | KHA = Battle of Khanwa (1527) | CHA = Battle of Chanderi (1528) | GHA = Battle of Ghagra (1529)
| Battle |
Year |
Opponent |
Result & Key Fact |
| 1st Battle of Panipat |
April 1526 |
Ibrahim Lodi |
Babur wins. First use of Tulughma formation + Ottoman artillery (Ustad Ali & Mustafa Khan). Nickname
'Qalandar' for generosity. |
| Battle of Khanwa |
March 1527 |
Rana Sanga |
Babur wins. Title 'Ghazi' assumed. Ban on alcohol. Slogan of Jihad. Abolished 'Tamgha' tax. |
| Battle of Chanderi |
Jan 1528 |
Medini Rai |
Babur wins. Rajput women committed Jauhar. |
| Battle of Ghagra |
May 1529 |
Afghans (Mahmud Lodi) |
Babur wins. Bihar+Bengal combined forces. Fought on land AND water. Permanent control over India. |
Humayun (1530–1540 & 1555–56 CE)
Coronation
1530 CE — Agra
City founded
Dinpanah (Library city)
Death
1556 CE — Fell from Dinpanah stairs
Reinstated
1555 CE — after Battle of Sirhind
Lane-Poole Quote
"Humayun tumbled through life and tumbled out of it."
🏛️ Humayun's Tomb — Delhi
- Built by his wife Hameeda Banu Begum
- India's first double-domed tomb of white marble
- Called Predecessor of Taj Mahal
Humayun's Initial Problems
| Problem |
Details |
| Empire Division |
Kamran=Kabul+Kandahar; Askari=Sambhal; Hindal=Alwar; Suleiman Mirza=Badakhshan |
| Rajput Issue |
Rana Sanga's son Ratan Singh vowed to drive out Mughals |
| Empty Treasury |
Babur had wasted treasury |
| Afghan Threat |
Mahmud Lodi (Ibrahim Lodi's brother) trying to re-establish Afghan rule |
Humayun's Key Battles
| Battle |
Year |
Result |
Key Fact |
| Battle of Dourah |
1532 |
Mahmud Lodi defeated |
Humayun vs Afghans |
| Battle of Chausa |
27 June 1539 |
Humayun defeated |
Near Buxar. Bhishti (water-carrier) Nizam saved Humayun's life. |
| Battle of Kannauj (Bilgram) |
17 May 1540 |
Humayun defeated |
Sher Shah captured Agra & Delhi. Humayun fled to exile. |
| Battle of Machhiwara |
May 1555 |
Mughals win |
vs Sikandar Shah Suri |
| Battle of Sirhind |
June 1555 |
Mughals win |
Bairam Khan led. Humayun reinstated. |
Sher Shah Suri (Interregnum 1540–1545)
Title Source
Sher Khan — from Bahar Khan Lohani
Silver Rupee
180 grains | Copper Dam = 380 gr
Land revenue rate
1/3 of produce
GT Road (Sadak-e-Azam)
Bengal to Punjab via Delhi-Lahore
Serais built
1700 Inns along roads
Sher Shah's Key Facts
- Patta & Qabuliyat system — protect peasants from exploitation
- Ryotwari model — tax in cash AND kind
- Jareebana (survey fee): 2.5% | Mahasilana (collection fee): 5%
- Built Purana Qila (by demolishing Humayun's Dinpanah)
- Built Qila-e-Kuhna Masjid
- Mausoleum at Sasaram — Cunningham: "More beautiful than Taj Mahal"
- Biography: Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi by Abbas Khan Sarwani
- Revived Dagh and Huliya system (originally Alauddin Khilji's)
Akbar (1556–1605 CE)
Born
15 Oct 1542 — Amarkot (Rana Veer Sal's palace)
Coronation
1556 CE at Kalanaur — age 13
Regent initially
Bairam Khan (Title: Khan-i-Khana)
2nd Battle of Panipat
Nov 1556 — vs Hemu (defeated)
Real Founder of Mughal
Akbar
Key Political Campaigns
| Campaign |
Year |
Ruler / Key Person |
Special Fact |
| Malwa |
1561 |
Baz Bahadur (defeated) |
Last ruler of Malwa; later got mansab 2000 |
| Amer & Merta |
1562 |
Bharmal |
First Rajput to accept Akbar; daughter Harkha Bai married Akbar; son Bhagwan Das = mansab 5000 |
| Gondwana |
1564 |
Queen Durgavati |
Led by Asaf Khan; praised by Abul Fazl |
| Mewar / Chittor |
1567–68 |
Uday Singh; Jaimal & Patta (defence) |
Akbar called Jihad; massacre of civilians — blot on Akbar's reign |
| Ranthambore |
1569 |
Rao Surjan Hada |
Man Singh sent for negotiations |
| Battle of Haldighati |
1576 |
Maharana Pratap (defeated) |
Pratap's army: Hakim Khan. Akbar's: Asaf Khan + Man Singh. Pratap used guerrilla war. Son Amar Singh
later signed treaty with Jahangir. |
| Gujarat |
1572–73 |
Muzzaffar Shah III |
Victory = Buland Darwaza built at Fatehpur Sikri |
| Bihar & Bengal |
1574 |
Daud Khan |
Munim Khan led; Battle of Tukaroi 1575; Bengal annexed |
| Kabul |
1581 |
Hakim Mirza (brother) |
Man Singh = Subedar |
| Kashmir |
1585–86 |
Yusuf Khan |
Birbal died suppressing Yusufzai rebellion |
| Sindh |
1591 |
Jani Beg |
Led by Abdur Rahim Khan-e-Khana |
Akbar's Reforms
⚙️ Mansabdari System
- Decimal-based system
- Highest rank: 7000 (Man Singh, Mirzaziz Koka)
-
Zat = personal rank | Sawar = cavalry
- 66 categories — listed in Ain-i-Akbari
🌾 Land Revenue (Ain-i-Dahsala)
- Introduced by Todar Mal (1580 CE)
- Revenue = 1/3 of average produce of last 10 years
-
Taqavi loans — advance to farmers
- 4 land types: Polaj, Parati, Chachar, Banjar
🕉️ Religious Policies — Sulh-e-Kul (Tolerance)
- 1562 — Abolition of Slavery
- 1563 — End of Pilgrimage tax
- 1564 — Abolition of Jizya
- 1575 — Ibadat Khana established (Fatehpur Sikri) — closed 1582
- 1579 — Mahzar Declaration — king = final interpreter of religion
- 1582 — Din-i-Ilahi founded (Tauhid-e-Ilahi per Abul Fazl)
- Practice of Jharokha Darshan
- Jain saint Hari Vijay Suri: Title Jagat Guru
- Jin Chandra Suri: Title Yug Pradhan + 200 bighas land
- Coins bore depictions of Sita and Ram
Nine Gems (Navaratnas) of Akbar
1Abul FazlHistorian (Akbarnama)
2FaiziScholar & Poet
3BirbalAdministrator
4Abdur RahimKhan-e-Khana
5TansenMusician
6Raja Todar MalFinance Minister
7Man SinghMansabdar
8Hakeem HumamPhysician
9Mulla Do PyazaCook
Tansen — Special Facts
- Real name: Ramtanu Pandey
- Earlier patronage: Raja Ramachandra (Tomar King, Gwalior)
- Origin: Rewa / Gwalior Gharana
- Known as founder of Dhrupad
- Title given by Akbar: Miyan
- Guru of Tansen: Muhammad Ghaus (Shattari Sufi Order)
Constructions by Akbar
- Fatehpur Sikri: Tomb of Salim Chishti, Jodha Bai's Palace, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal
-
Buland Darwaza — to commemorate Gujarat victory
- Shaan-e-Fatehpur (Jama Masjid)
-
Humayun's Tomb (Delhi) — Indian + Persian blend; UNESCO World Heritage
- Agra Fort, Lahore Fort, Allahabad Fort
Jahangir (1605–1627 CE)
Real Name
Nur-ud-din Muhammad Salim
Autobiography
Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri (Persian)
Other biography
Iqbalnama-i-Jahangiri by Mutamid Khan
Famous justice symbol
Zanjir-e-Adl (Chain of Justice) — Agra Fort
Wife
Nur Jahan (original: Mehrunnisa)
12 Proclamations (Dastur-al-Amal)
- Abolished taxes: Zakat & Tamgha
- Banned sale of intoxicating substances
- Prohibited animal slaughter on Thursdays & Sundays
- Construction of hospitals and appointment of doctors
Nur Jahan's Junta (Group)
- Father: Itimad-ud-Daula (original: Ghiyas Beg)
- Brother: Asaf Khan
- Mother: Asmat Begum
- Shahzada Khurram: Shahjahan
Political Campaigns
| Campaign |
Period |
Key Fact |
| Mewar |
1605–15 |
Rana Amar Singh surrendered |
| Kangra |
1620 |
Most difficult; even Akbar had failed |
| Kandahar |
1622 |
Lost to Persian ruler Shah Abbas |
| Deccan |
— |
Treaty with Ahmadnagar (1617). Adil Shah title 'Farzand'. Bijapur Treaty = Shahjahan given title
'Khurram'. Malik Ambar applied Todar Mal's revenue in Deccan. |
Foreign Travelers
| Traveler |
Year |
Key Fact |
| Captain Hawkins |
1608 |
Ambassador of James I. Mansab 400. Title 'English Khan'. Met Jahangir in Agra in Persian. |
| Sir Thomas Roe |
1615 |
Secured British trading rights in Surat. |
| Francisco Pelsaert |
— |
Dutch traveler. Book: Remonstrantie. |
Art & Painting — Golden Age
- Introduced Pietra Dura (Inlay art)
- Promoted portraiture with divine radiance (halo)
-
Ustad Mansur — Famous for bird illustrations → Title: Nadir-ul-Asr
-
Abdul Hasan — Expert in portraiture → Title: Nadir-ul-Zaman
- Introduced Sih Aspa (3× horses) and Do Aspa (2× horses) policy
Shahjahan (1628–1658 CE)
Mother
Jodha Bai (Jagat Gosain)
Wife
Arjumand Banu Begum (Mumtaz Mahal)
Period known as
Age of Marble / 2nd Golden Age
Capital shifted to
Shahjahanabad (Delhi)
Taj Mahal architect
Ustad Ahmad Lahauri
Major Rebellions
| Revolt |
Year |
Key Fact |
| Bundela Revolt |
1628 |
Jhujhar Singh; Capital: Orchha |
| Khan-e-Jahan Lodi |
— |
Subedar of Deccan; died 1631 — revolt ended |
| Portuguese Revolt |
1631 |
Forced conversions + market looting; Shahjahan stopped |
| Sikh Revolt |
— |
Led by Guru Hargobind Singh (6th Sikh Guru) |
South India Expansion
| Region |
Year |
Key Fact |
| Ahmadnagar |
1633 |
Muhabat Khan led; Sultan Hussain Shah defeated |
| Golkonda |
1636 |
Abdullah Qutub Shah signed treaty; Jumla gifted Kohinoor |
| Bijapur |
1636 |
Accepted Mughal dominance |
Constructions
-
Taj Mahal — in memory of Mumtaz Mahal; Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri
- Red Fort (Delhi), Jama Masjid (Delhi), Moti Masjid (Agra)
-
Diwan-i-Aam (Public audience) and Diwan-i-Khas (Private audience)
- Shishmahal, Khwabgah
-
Shalimar Bagh (Lahore)
-
Pietra Dura — floral stone inlay technique (initiated in Mughal architecture)
-
Peacock Throne — over 1100 kg of gold
War of Succession (1657–58)
-
Dara Shikoh — Governor of Punjab (Shah Jahan's favourite)
-
Shah Shuja — Governor of Bengal
-
Aurangzeb — Governor of Deccan
-
Murad Baksh — Governor of Gujarat
- Battle of Dharmat (1658) — Aurangzeb+Murad vs imperial army (led by Qasim Khan + Jaswant Singh) — imperial
army defeated
- Battle of Samugarh (1658) — Aurangzeb vs Dara Shikoh — Dara defeated; Murad later imprisoned
Foreign Travelers
| Traveler |
Origin |
Key Fact |
| Travernier |
Jeweller |
Visited 6 times. Book: Travels in India. |
| Peter Mundy |
British Merchant |
Mentioned famine of 1630–32. |
| Niccolao Manucci |
Italian Physician |
Eyewitness to War of Succession. Book: Memoirs of the Mughal Court. |
| Bernier |
French Physician |
Book: Travels in the Mughal Empire. Society & politics. |
Aurangzeb (1658–1707 CE)
Wife
Dilras Bano Begum (Rabia Bibi)
Titles
Alamgir, Padshah, Ghazi
Nickname
Zinda Pir (Living Saint)
Religious Policy — Orthodox
- Based on Quran and Sharia
- Banned Nowruz festival
- Abolished Jharokha Darshan
- Reimposed Jizya tax and pilgrimage tax
- Appointed Muhtasib (religious officer) to monitor public character
- Ideology: Dar-ul-Islam (Land of Muslims) not Dar-ul-Harb
Key Campaigns
| Campaign |
Key Fact |
| Bijapur (1656–57) |
Treaty of Purandar (1665) between Shivaji and Jai Singh. Jai Singh led Mughal attack on Bijapur. |
| Golconda (1687) |
Ruler: Abul Hasan Qutb Shah. Aurangzeb personally led in 1687. |
| Maratha Campaign |
Conflict after Purandar treaty 1665. Shivaji died 1680. Sambhaji captured & executed. Shahu imprisoned.
Struggle continued under Rajaram & Tarabai. |
Sikh Rebellion (1675 CE)
- 9th Guru Tegh Bahadur sentenced to death — refused to accept Islam
- A treaty was made with 10th Guru Gobind Singh by Aurangzeb's successor
Other Key Facts
- Built Moti Masjid in Delhi's Red Fort
- Compiled Fatawa-i-Alamgiri — Islamic law book
- Maximum number of Hindu generals during his period
-
Guru Arjan Dev executed by Jahangir (not Aurangzeb — exam trap!)
Sher Shah's 6 Departments
| Department |
Officer |
Function |
| Diwan-e-Wazarat |
Wazir |
Finance Department |
| Diwan-e-Risalat |
— |
Foreign Ministry / Diplomacy |
| Diwan-e-Arz |
Ariz-e-Mamalik |
Military affairs |
| Diwan-e-Barid |
Barid-e-Mamalik |
Intelligence / Spying |
| Diwan-e-Qaza |
Qazi |
Judiciary / Justice |
| Diwan-e-Insha |
Dabir-e-Mamalik |
Royal orders / Correspondence |
Sher Shah's Local Admin
| Unit |
Officers |
| District (Sarkar) |
1. Shiqdar-e-Shiqdaran (Military) 2. Munsif-e-Munsifan (Judicial) |
| Pargana |
Shiqdar (Military), Munsif (Civil), Karkun (Clerk), Fotedar (Treasurer) |
| Village |
Mukhiya (Head) |
Mughal Admin Hierarchy
-
Subah → Subedar/Nizam
-
Sarkar → Faujdar (Revenue: Amalguzar)
-
Pargana/Gram/Taluk → Siqdar → Qanungo → Revenue Collector
Akbar's 4 Types of Land
| Type |
Meaning |
| Polaj |
Cultivated every year |
| Parati / Parauti |
Cultivated every alternate year |
| Chachar |
Cultivated once in 4–5 years |
| Banjar |
Uncultivated for over 5 years |
Key Coins & Currency
| Ruler |
Coin / Innovation |
| Babur |
Shahrukh (Silver) |
| Sher Shah |
Silver Rupee (180 gr), Copper Dam (380 gr), Gold Asharfi (167 gr); 1:64 ratio |
| Akbar |
Silver Rupees + Copper Dams; Gold = Ilahi; Coins with Sita-Ram |
⚠️ Exam Traps — Mughal Empire
Trap #1 — Founder vs Real Founder
Babur founded the Mughal Empire, while Akbar is regarded as its real or actual founder. These are two separate exam distinctions.
Trap #2 — Baburnama Language
The Baburnama was written in Chagatai Turkish, not Persian or Arabic. Its Persian translator was Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khana, and its English translator was Annette Beveridge.
Trap #3 — Humayun's Death
Humayun died in 1556 CE after falling down the stairs of the library at Dinpanah. He did not die in battle.
Trap #4 — Tulughma — First Use
Babur first used the Tulughma formation in India at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. He had learned this strategy from the Uzbeks.
Trap #5 — Ain-i-Dahsala vs Ain-i-Akbari
Ain-i-Dahsala (1580) was the land-revenue system associated with Todar Mal. Ain-i-Akbari is the third part of Abul Fazl’s Akbarnama. They are entirely different.
Trap #6 — Tansen's Guru
Tansen’s guru was Muhammad Ghaus of the Shattari Order. Akbar included Tansen among the Navaratnas and gave him the title Miyan. His original name was Ramtanu Pandey.
Trap #7 — Nur Jahan's Real Name
Nur Jahan’s original name was Mehrunnisa. Her father was Itimad-ud-Daula, originally named Ghiyas Beg. His tomb is at Agra and contains the earliest full use of pietra dura.
Trap #8 — Who built Purana Qila?
Sher Shah Suri built the Purana Qila or Old Fort, not Humayun. Sher Shah transformed Humayun’s Dinpanah into the Purana Qila.
Trap #9 — Guru Arjan Dev vs Tegh Bahadur
Jahangir executed the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, for supporting Khusrau’s rebellion. Aurangzeb executed the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Trap #10 — Din-i-Ilahi vs Ibadat Khana
Ibadat Khana was established in 1575 as a centre for inter-religious dialogue and closed in 1582. Din-i-Ilahi was founded by Akbar in 1582. They were different initiatives from different years.
Trap #11 — Kohinoor Diamond
The Kohinoor was first found in the Kakatiya kingdom of Golconda. Malik Kafur brought it from Warangal in 1309. Jumla presented it under the Golconda–Shah Jahan treaty of 1636, and Nadir Shah of Persia later seized it.
Trap #12 — Dagh and Huliya
Alauddin Khilji originally introduced the Dagh system of branding horses and the Huliya descriptive-roll system. Sher Shah Suri revived them, and Akbar also used them. Alauddin was the original initiator.