MUGHAL EMPIRE — POLITICAL EXPANSION, ADMINISTRATION, ECONOMY AND CULTURAL LEGACY

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

MUGHAL EMPIRE — POLITICAL EXPANSION, ADMINISTRATION, ECONOMY AND CULTURAL LEGACY

1. Establishment of the Mughal Empire

• The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur after his victory over Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
• Babur used cavalry, field artillery and gunpowder weapons effectively, helping establish a new imperial power in northern India.
• After Babur, Humayun temporarily lost control to Sher Shah Suri but regained Delhi in 1555.

2. Akbar and Consolidation

• Akbar (1556–1605) transformed the Mughal state into a large and durable empire.
• His victory over Hemu in the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556 secured Mughal authority over Delhi and Agra.
• He expanded Mughal rule across large parts of northern, western and central India and into the Deccan.
• Akbar also integrated many Rajput rulers and regional chiefs into the Mughal nobility, strengthening political stability. (NIOS Digital)

3. Major Mughal Rulers

• The major rulers were Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb.
• Jahangir continued Akbar’s administrative framework and was associated with strong courtly patronage of painting.
• Shah Jahan’s reign is especially remembered for monumental architecture.
• Under Aurangzeb, Mughal territory reached its greatest geographical extent, but prolonged warfare in the Deccan imposed heavy political and financial pressures.

4. Mansabdari System

• Akbar developed the Mansabdari system as an important basis of Mughal civil and military administration.
• A mansab represented an official rank or status, and mansabdars could perform both military and civil duties.
• Ranks were later expressed through zat and sawar, indicating personal status and cavalry obligations.
• Mansabs were generally non-hereditary and transferable, helping the emperor control the nobility.

5. Jagirdari and Revenue Administration