Mughal Empire [ 1526-1857 AD ]

The Mughal Empire was one of the greatest empires of Indian history. 

The Mughal Dynasty was founded by Babur in 1526 AD after defeating the last Delhi Sultan of Lodi dynasty Ibrahim Lodi, in the first Battle of Panipat. 

The last emperor of the dynasty Bahadur Shah II ruled the empire till 1857 AD before British East India Company defeated and exiled him to Burma after the Sepoy Mutiny. The Mughal Dynasty contributed many incredible monuments in the amazing architectural history of India, the most notably the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Emperors of Mughal Empire Mughal Dynasty produced many capable rulers and ruled the dynasty for more than 300 years. Some of the famous rulers of Mughal Empire were:

Babur

Babur was the first emperor of the Mughal Dynasty and founded the dynasty after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in 1526 AD in the First Battle of Panipat. He ruled the Mughal Empire from 1526 AD to 1530 AD. During his small period as a Mughal Emperor, he acquired a large territory from Rajput and Afghans. He was a powerful ruler. (for detail about Babur, see his individual section)

Humayun 

Babur was succeeded by his son Humayun and became the Mughal emperor in 1530 AD. In 1540 AD, Sher Shah Suri overpowered the Mughal Empire and threw Humayun out of the throne. But in 1555 AD, Humayun managed to defeat Sher Shah Suri and re-conquered Delhi. (for detail about Humayun, see his individual section)

Akbar 

Akbar is considered as one of the greatest rulers of Indian History. After the death of Humayun, his son Akbar succeeded him and ascended to the throne of Mughal of Empire on 14th February, 1556 AD. Akbar is also commonly known as Akbar the Great. During the reign of Akbar, Mughal Empire reached the zenith of cultural and economic progress and religious harmony. He established strategic alliance with Hindu Rajput kingdoms. (For detail about Akbar see his individual section)

Jahangir

Jahangir, son of Emperor Akbar, ruled the Mughal Empire from 1605 to 1627 AD. (For detail about Jahangir see his individual section)

Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan was the son of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. After the death of his father in 1627 AD, Shah Jahan became the emperor of Mughal Empire in 1628 AD. The period under Shah Jahan is considered as the golden age of Mughal architecture. During his reign, he constructed many wonderful monuments notably the Taj Mahal at Agra, Pearl Mosque at Lahore, the Red Fort, Jama Masjid (Mosque) at Delhi and Lahore Fort. (see his individual section for detail)

Aurangzeb 

Aurangzeb was the third son of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. In 1658 AD, he seized the throne of Mughal Empire and imprisoned his father under house arrest in Agra Fort and became the emperor. He was one of the most powerful rulers in Indian History. During his reign the Mughal Empire expanded its territory to the largest extent. He ruled the Mughal Dynasty until his death in 1707 AD. (see his individual section for detail)

Decline of Mughal Empire After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 AD the Mughal Empire started declining. 

By this time the Hindu Maratha Empire reached the peak of its power and Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj already provided massive fight to Mughal. 

Towards the end of eighteenth century, Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh emerged as a powerful dynasty and became prime threat to Mughal Empire. 

The rise of Maratha Empire and Sikh Empire can be considered as one of the prime reasons of the fall of Mughal Empire.

In 1739 AD, the Mughal Empire faced a severe damage after the invasion of Nadir Shah of Persia. Nadir Shah smashed the Mughal army of Muhammad Shah and carried out a massive massacre. Muhammad Shah surrendered and Nadir Shah took back the precious assets of Mughal Dynasty like Peacock Throne, Kohinoor diamond. 

Ahmad Shah Abdali also known as Ahmad Shah Durrani was a general of Nadir Shah. He invaded India multiple times during Mughal Empire between 1748 AD and 1767 AD. 

During those raids Mughal Empire became further weak. In 1757 AD, Ahmad Shah Abdali attacked Delhi and captured the city. He massacred the city for one month and looted the valuable treasures. 

At the Battle of Buxar, Mughal Empire lost to British. During the reign of Shah Alam II Mughal Empire accepted the protection of the British. Finally the Mughal Empire came to end after the Sepoy Mutiny when the last ruler of Mughal Empire Bahadur Shah II were exiled to Burma by British.