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Mughal Empire

Mughal Empire. Overview. Ruled most of India & Pakistan in the 16-17 th centuries Consolidated Islam in South Asia Spread Muslim arts & culture Ruled large area with Hindu majority. Origins. Muslims were in India long before Mughals Arrived in 8 th century Conflicted with Hindus

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Mughal Empire

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  1. Mughal Empire

  2. Overview • Ruled most of India & Pakistan in the 16-17th centuries • Consolidated Islam in South Asia • Spread Muslim arts & culture • Ruled large area with Hindu majority

  3. Origins • Muslims were in India long before Mughals • Arrived in 8th century • Conflicted with Hindus • Muslim invasions in 10th & 12th centuries • Invasion at end of 12th century formed the Delhi Sultanate • Later Muslim invasion of 1398 devastated Delhi • Grew from descendents of the Mongol Empire living in Turkestan in the 15th century • Assimilated the culture of the Middle East while keeping elements of far eastern roots • Retained military skill • Babur, descendent of Genghis Khan & Timur the Lame moved on into India in 1504 from Afghanistan • Disposed ruler & too over • Sophisticated civilization based on religious toleration • Mixture of Persian, Mongol, & Indian culture • Hinduism tolerated & temples built

  4. Babur’s Empire • Hinduism tolerated • Trade with rest of Islamic world encouraged • Slavery diminished • Followed by son Humayun (Bad emperor ) who rapidly lost the empire

  5. Akbar • Regarded as one of the greatest rulers of all time – regardless of country! • Third Mughal Emperor • Succeeded throne at age 13 & recaptured territory lost from Babur’s empire • Ruled most of north, central, and western India by death in 1605 • Religious tolerance in government • Worked hard to win over Hindu leaders • Believed in religious toleration • Delegated government – provincial governors responsible to him for the quality of government in their territory • Hindus in positions of responsibility • Ended the jizya that was imposed on non-Muslims • Non-Muslims not forced to obey Islamic laws • Within his court, adopted a blended culture – it died when he did

  6. Jangahir • Akbar’s son • Readopted Islam as state religion • Continued policy of religious toleration • Began magnificent building projects • Developed Urdu as official language of the Empire

  7. Jahan • Peak of architectural achievements • Commissioned TajMahal as a mausoleum for his wife • But, money spent on buildings & military projects emptied his treasury • Forced to raise taxes • Aggravated people of the empire

  8. Aurangzeb • Last great Mughal Emperor • Split opinion – Hindu or Muslim • Came to throne after imprisoning father & having brother killed • Strong leader  greatest size of empire • Ended religious tolerance • Very observant Muslim • No longer allowed Hindu community to live under own laws & customs • Imposed sharia law • Thousands of Hindu temples & shrines destroyed • Tax on Hindus reimposed • Invaded southern Hindu kingdoms & took many slaves • Peak of military power • Unstable rule • Hostility from intolerance & taxation • Too big to be successfully governed • Empire went into decline • Successors were effectively British or French puppets • Last emperor deposed by the British in 1858

  9. Upcoming: Relationship with the West • Trade along Indian Ocean prominent for centuries before Europeans came • Mughal-European trade began in 17th century • Mughals previously more interested in communication with Safavid & Ottoman Empires • Portuguese, English, & Dutch traders • Akbar welcomed Portuguese Jesuits • Jahangir strengthened economic activity • Established coastal ports for trade • Would become a way in to Indian politics / influence princes • Able to permanently settle lands

  10. Discussion How were the Mughal Empire’s policies of religious tolerance ahead of their time?

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