18.3--The Mughal Empire in India

Babur

- Founder of Mughal dynasty in India and descendant from Tamir the Lame and Genghis Khan. - Inherited a kingdom in the area of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in 1494, at age 11, but his elders took it from him and drove him south.

Shah Jahan

- Grandson of Akbar, he could not tolerate competition and secured his throne by assassinating all his possible rivals. - Mughal leader of India who built the Taj Mahal at Agra in memorial of his deceased wife. (1592-1666)

Taj Mahal

- a beautiful tomb in Agra, India, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. - has been called one of the most beautiful buildings in the world

Akbar

- means "the Greatest One." - Grandson of Babur, and was the most illustrious sultan of the Mughal Empire in India (r. 1556-1605).

Mughal

- means"Mongols" in Persian language. Warlike Muslim tribes from Central Asia who invaded northwestern India in the 16th century. - These people descended from Muslim Turks and Afghans - Their leader descended from Timur the Lame and Genghis Khan, and established a powerful empire.

Shah

A Persian title that means "king"

Toleration

Akbar expanded the Mughal empire and pursued a policy of conciliation and toleration with Hindus.

Heavy Taxes

Common cause of popular revolts against Mughal rulers in the 1600s

Aurangzeb

Last strong Mughal emperor in India and great-grandson of Akbar 'the Great', under whom the empire reached its greatest extent - policy of intolerance of non-Muslims led to many rebellions

Eliminate Rivals

Most Mughal rulers used this tactic to secure their possession of the throne

Nur Jahan

Real ruler of India; ruled with an "iron hand" during her husband, Jahangir's reign.

Sikh

a member of a nonviolent religious group whose beliefs blend elements of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sufism (Islamic mysticism).