1. The Foundation (1526–1556)
The empire began with a bang—literally, as the Mughals introduced gunpowder to the subcontinent.
Babur (1526–1530): Defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat (1526). He was a scholar and wrote his autobiography, Baburnama.
Humayun (1530–1540, 1555–1556): Faced a major setback when he was defeated by Sher Shah Suri. He spent 15 years in exile before recapturing Delhi.
2. The Golden Age: Akbar the Great (1556–1605)
Akbar is the most important figure for your exams. He realized that to rule India, he needed the support of the Hindus (especially Rajputs).
A. Administrative Innovations
Mansabdari System: A grading system used to fix the rank (Zat) and salary of military officers and nobles.
Zabt System: A land revenue system developed with his finance minister, Raja Todar Mal, based on a 10-year average of crop yields.
B. Religious Policy
Sulh-i-kul: The principle of "universal peace" and religious tolerance.
Din-i-Ilahi: A new ethical code/religion founded by Akbar that blended elements of all major faiths.
Ibadat Khana: A "House of Worship" where he held discussions with leaders of different religions.
3. The Peak of Art and Architecture (1605–1658)
Jahangir: Known for his love of painting and the "Chain of Justice" (Zanjir-i-Adal). His wife, Nur Jahan, held immense political power.
Shah Jahan: The "Engineer King." He built the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and the Jama Masjid. Under him, the empire reached its cultural height but faced heavy financial strain due to constant construction.
4. Expansion and Decline: Aurangzeb (1658–1707)
Aurangzeb was the last of the "Great Mughals."
Territorial Reach: Under him, the empire reached its largest geographical extent, covering almost the entire Indian subcontinent.
Conflict: His orthodox religious policies and the reintroduction of Jizya (tax on non-Muslims) led to revolts by the Marathas (Shivaji), Sikhs, and Rajputs.
The Deccan Ulcer: He spent the last 25 years of his life fighting in the Deccan, which drained the royal treasury and weakened the administration.
5. Why the Empire Declined
After Aurangzeb died in 1707, the "Later Mughals" were weak.
Succession Wars: Every time a King died, his sons fought bloody wars for the throne.
Foreign Invasions: Nadir Shah (1739) and Ahmad Shah Abdali raided Delhi, looting the Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Rise of Regional Powers: The Marathas, Sikhs, and Nawabs of Hyderabad/Awadh became independent.
Arrival of the British: The British eventually defeated the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, after the 1857 revolt.