Chapter 18 Section 3 Mughals

Shah Jahan

Mogul emperor of India during whose reign the finest monuments of Mogul architecture were built (including the Taj Mahal at Agra) (1592-1666)

Urdu

"from the soldier's camp." A blend of Arabic, Persian, and Hindi, today the official language of Pakistan.

Akbar

The most famous Muslim ruler of India during the period of Mughal rule. Famous for his religious tolerance, his investment in rich cultural feats, and the creation of a centralized governmental administration, which was not typical of ancient and post-classical India.

miniatures

small-scale models of larger things; Akbarnamah ("Book of Akbar"), the story of the great emperor's campaigns and deeds.

Empire's Decline and Decay

After Aurangzeb's death, his sons fought a war of succession. In fact, three emperors reigned in the first 12 years after Aurangzeb died. By the end of this period, the Mughal emperor was nothing but a wealthy figurehead.

Humayun

After Babur's death, his incompetent son lost most of the territory Babur had gained.

How did Babur capture Delhi?

Babur was a brilliant general. In 1526, for example, he led 12,000 troops to victory against an army of 100,000 commanded by a sultan of Delhi. A year later, Babur also defeated a massive rajput army

Aurangzeb

Mughal emperor in India and great-grandson of 'the Great', under whom the empire reached its greatest extent, only to collapse after his death.

Sikhs

Nonviolent religous group that blended Buddhism, Hinduism and Sufism

Jahangir

Son of Akbar he was the "Grasper of the World." He married the Persian princess Nur Jahan, who really controlled the state affairs because he was a weak ruler.

Western traders

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach India. In fact, they arrived just before Babur did. Next came the Dutch, who in turn gave way to the French and the English.

The People Suffer

There was famine in the land. Furthermore, farmers needed tools, roads, and ways of irrigating their crops and dealing with India's harsh environment. What they got instead were taxes and more taxes to support the building of monuments, their rulers' extravagant living, and war.

Taj Mahal

beautiful mausoleum at Agra built by the Mogul emperor (completed in 1649) in memory of his favorite wife

Babur

founder of Mughal dynasty in India; descended from Turkic warriors; first led invasion of India in 1526; died in 1530.

capital city of Fatehpur Sikri

most important examples of this type of architecture. massive but graceful structures are decorated with intricate stonework that portrays Hindu themes. Center of Architecture.

Mughals

muslim rulers over india, combined Hindu and Muslim, brought India to the peak of its political empire, had a single government with a common culture

Persian

official language of when Akbar was ruling