Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire,
pronounced MOO guhl, or Mogul Empire, ruled most of India in the 1500's and
1600's. Life in Mughal India set a standard of magnificence for its region of
Asia, and the empire had peace, order, and stability. The centralized government
of the empire provided a model for later rulers of India. A distinctive culture
developed that blended Middle Eastern and Indian elements, and the Persian language
became widely used. Babur, a prince
from what is now Afghanistan, founded the Mughal Empire in 1526. His grandson
Akbar established its governmental structure. Jahangir, Akbar's son, ruled from
1605 to 1627 and was a patron of painting. His son Shah Jahan reigned from 1628
to 1658, during the height of the Mughal period. He encouraged architecture and
built the famous Taj Mahal as a tomb for his wife. Shah Jahan's son Aurangzeb
took the throne from his father in 1658 and imprisoned Shah Jahan. The Mughal emperors
were Muslims who ruled a largely Hindu nation. Under Akbar, Hindu warriors served
as Mughal generals and governors. Other Hindus were administrators and clerks.
Later, Aurangzeb imposed a tax on the Hindus and destroyed many of their temples.
The Mahrattas, Hindu warriors of central India, revolted and seriously weakened
the empire. The Mughal Empire
began to break up soon after Aurangzeb's death in 1707. Mughals continued to rule
a small kingdom at Delhi until Britain took control of India in the 1800's. Excerpt adapted from
the "Mughal Empire" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999