Ancient India: the mogul empire chapter 7 notes social studies 8

1. Ancient India:the mogul empirechapter 7 notessocial studies 8

2. Mogul Empire • Moguls from central Asia, related to the Turks, conquered the Indus plain • Akbar was made ruler at 13 in 1556 • At 19 he led the army and over 43 years they expanded the Mogul empire (he almost never lost a battle!) • Created a money system • Taxed farmers based on land • Had irrigation and canals built to increase water supply to farmers • Unified Hindus for period of unity and power

3. An Era of Harmony • At 20, Akbar married the daughter of Hindu leader • He put her father and other Hindus in the Muslim government • He let Hindus build more temples again • He took away the extra tax on Hindus • Akbar had a building in his palace where people from any religion could talk (he liked to listen to their debates)

4. Akbar’s Interests • He had a huge library with books from other empires and continents • He was illiterate but had someone read to him every day • He loved arts and music and crafts and had many huge forts and new palaces designed and built • Akbar died in 1605 at 63 years of age and left behind one of the richest and most powerful empires in the world

5. Shah Jahan • Emperor of the World” • Akbar’s grandson, Shah Jahan, ruled from 1628-1658 • He expanded the Mogul empire • Spent a huge amount of money on building beautiful things and buildings (his throne cost twice as much to build as the palace it sat in!) “

6. Taj Mahal • Shah Jahan had the Taj Mahal built in honor of his wife (died in 1631) • His wife was named Mumtaz Mahal • It took 20 years to build • Was one of the most expensive buildings built under • Is over looked by the Agra or Red Fort built by Akbar • It’s considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world • Made of white marble with passages from the Koran (to honour the beliefs of Islam)

7. Trading with Europe • Shah Jahan could afford to build theTaj Mahal because of trade with Asia, Africa, and Europe • Silk and spices were traded to eager merchants from Netherlands, Portugal, and England

8. Akbar’s Mini Biography • He was the grandson of Babur who founded the Mogul dynasty • Akbar is considered as the greatest Mogul emperor • He was only 13 when he was named the emperor following the death of his father • He married the daughter of a Hindu leader Akbar was a carpenter, artist, blacksmith, emperor, inventor, animal trainer, etc, etc. • The day Akbar died, the Mogul empire covered almost 1 million square kilometres

9. Shah Jahan’s Mini Biography • He was the fifth Mogul ruler • While he was young, he was a favorite of Akbar. • He succeeded to the throne on his father’s death • He is considered one of the best Moguls, his reign is considered as the Golden Age of the Moguls • He made great monuments, his greatest is the Taj Mahal made as the tomb of his dead wife. • On his death, the Mogul empire spanned about 9/10 the size of India today

10. Important People and Places • People: Akbar, Shah Jahan, and Mumtaz Mahal • Places: Agra, and Taj Mahal • The End!