Notes Class 11 Chapter 15 History Maharashtra Board

India during Mughal period

Introduction

The Mughal period (1526-1707 CE) marked a significant phase in Indian history, following the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. After Ibrahim Lodi’s defeat by Babur, the Mughal rule was established, dominating north and central India and parts of the Deccan. This era was prosperous, with advancements in art, literature, administration, trade, and foreign relations. The Mughal Empire saw its peak under emperors like Akbar, Jahangir, and Shahjahan, but declined after Aurangzeb, culminating in the end of Mughal rule post the 1857 Rebellion.

15.1 Mughal Rule in India

Political Context

Decline of Delhi Sultanate: By the 16th century, the Sultanate weakened after Muhammad Tughluq, leading to the rise of independent kingdoms in North, Central, and South India.
Fragmentation: The Bahamani kingdom split into five branches, and the Vijayanagar Empire was destroyed by five Islamic ruling houses. Portuguese settlements emerged on the western coast.
Military Weaknesses: Indian rulers relied on traditional military systems, ill-equipped to counter modern weaponry, enabling Mughal dominance.

Origin of Mughals

Etymology: The term “Mughal” derives from the Persian word for “Mongol.” Mughals were descendants of Genghis Khan and Taimurlang, originating from Central Asia.
Babur’s Conquest: Born in Uzbekistan, Babur, king of Farghana, was inspired by Taimur’s invasions. He defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the Battle of Panipat (1526 CE) using superior artillery, intelligence, and leadership, establishing Mughal rule in Delhi.

Key Mughal Rulers

Babur (1526-1530 CE):

Defeated Rajputs led by Rana Sangha in the Battle of Khanwa.
Laid the foundation of Mughal rule.

Humayun (1530-1540, 1555-1556 CE):

Lost his kingdom to Shershah Sur but regained it after Shershah’s death.

Akbar (1556-1605 CE):

Greatest Mughal emperor due to intelligence, tolerance, and courage.
Expanded the empire from Kabul to Bengal and Kashmir to Varhad-Khandesh.
Faced resistance from Rana Pratap of Mewar but adopted persuasive policies with Rajputs to strengthen rule.

Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Aurangzeb:

Jahangir and Shahjahan maintained prosperity and cultural growth.
Aurangzeb expanded into the Deccan but faced Maratha resistance and European interference, marking the beginning of Mughal decline.

End of Mughal Rule: Bahadur Shah’s rule ended after the 1857 Rebellion.

15.2 Reforms in Revenue System

Akbar built on Shershah Sur’s revenue system, introducing welfare-oriented reforms:

Land Survey: Conducted systematic surveys to classify cultivable land into:

Fertile (supik)
Infertile (napik)
Irrigated (bagayat)
Dry crop (jirayat)

Tax Assessment: Calculated the average annual yield over the past ten years, fixing one-third as the tax rate for a decade, ensuring stability for farmers.

Documentation: Issued Kabulayat and Patta to formalize tax agreements.

Payment Flexibility: Taxes were collected in cash or kind.

Farmer Support: Provided loans for cultivation (repayable in installments) and concessions during calamities like famines, floods, or epidemics.

Todarmal’s Contribution: His insights shaped Akbar’s welfare policies, bringing discipline to the revenue system.

15.3 Art, Architecture, Literature

Art

Painting:

Originated from Persian styles, evolving into vibrant, realistic Mughal miniatures.
Akbar encouraged painters, with works like Baburnama illustrations.
Jahangir’s reign saw detailed depictions of court life, hunting, and nature.
Declined under Aurangzeb due to his ban on arts, leading to Rajasthani and Pahari styles elsewhere.

Music:

Flourished under Akbar with patronage to Persian, Kashmiri, and Turkish musicians, including Tansen.
Hindustani music prospered, but Aurangzeb banned music, halting its growth.

Ivory Carving: Received royal patronage under Akbar and Jahangir.

Architecture

Evolution: Transitioned from Persian to Indo-Islamic style, blending Indian elements.

Key Features:

Use of red sandstone and marble, large domes, arches, and ornamental designs.
Focus on aesthetics during Mughal period, unlike the Sultanate’s emphasis on strength.

Notable Structures:

Babur: Kabulbag mosque (Panipat), Jama Masjid (Sambhal).
Shershah Sur: Purana Qila (Delhi), memorial at Sahastram (Indo-Islamic style).
Akbar: Fatehpur Sikri (Jama Masjid, Buland Darwaza), forts at Agra, Lahore, Allahabad, and Attock.
Shahjahan: Taj Mahal, Red Fort (Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khaas, Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid).

Gardens: Mughal emperors created lush gardens like Shalimar Baug (Lahore) and Nishat Garden (Kashmir).

Literature

Persian Literature:

Babur’s Baburnama (autobiography).
Mirza Hyder’s Tarikh-i-Rashidi (Humayun’s period).
Akbar’s translations of Sanskrit texts (Ramayana, Mahabharata, Rajatarangini).
Abul Fazl’s Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari.
Dara Shukoh’s translations of Upanishads.
Khafi Khan’s Tarikh-i-Khafikhan.

Regional Literature:

Tulsidas’ Ramacharitamanas, Surdas’ compositions, Meerabai’s bhajans.
Malik Muhammad Jaysi’s Padmavat, Kabir’s dohas.

15.4 Trade, Industries, Social Life

Trade

Internal Trade: New highways connected Agra to Kabul, Kandahar, Khambayat, Burhanpur, and Bengal, facilitating swift transportation.

Foreign Trade:

Conducted via western ports (Khambayat, Bharuch, Surat, Dabhol, Calicut).
Exported silk, carpets, indigo, leather, sugar, ginger, asafoetida, and precious stones.
Imported gold, silver, horses, and China silk.
European factories (Portuguese, Dutch, French, English) traded spices and cotton cloth.
Surat was a key trade hub.

Economic Impact: India’s exports exceeded imports, attracting large silver inflows.

Industries

Textiles: Indian cotton cloth was in high demand in Arabia, East Africa, Egypt, Myanmar, and Malacca. Dyes were made from indigo, turmeric, lac, and safflower.
Metalwork: Weapons, farming equipment, copper, and brass vessels were produced.
Paper Production: Bihar and Siyalkot were known for silk and white paper, respectively.
Salt and Sugar: Key industries during the period.

Social Life

Village Life: Most people lived in self-sufficient villages managing law, order, and daily needs.

Caste System: Social organization remained unchanged, based on caste.

Purdah System: Prevalent among elite Hindu and Muslim communities.

Education:

Continued Sultanate traditions until Akbar’s reforms.
Akbar introduced subjects like Indian philosophy, agriculture, politics, and astronomy.
Madarasas were established in Sambhal, Ahmedabad, Ahmednagar, Gulbarga, Burhanpur, Bijapur, Golconda, and Hyderabad, with libraries and dedicated staff.

15.5 Mughal Empire and Deccan

Early Period: Under Babur and Humayun, Mughal rule was confined to North India.

Deccan Powers: South of the Narmada, Khandesh, Nizamshahi (Ahmednagar), Adilshahi (Bijapur), and Qutubshahi (Golconda) were dominant.

Akbar’s Campaigns:

Captured Ahmednagar fort (1595 CE), resisted by Chand Sultana (Chandbibi).
After her death, Ahmednagar was annexed and divided into three Subhas: Ahmednagar, Varhad, and Khandesh.
Prince Salim’s rebellion forced Akbar to abandon further southern campaigns.

Shahjahan’s Period: Nizamshahi declined, but Adilshahi and Qutubshahi survived.

Aurangzeb’s Reign: Successfully annexed Adilshahi and Qutubshahi but faced strong Maratha resistance, marking a turning point in Mughal decline.

Key Points for Revision

Mughal Rule: Established by Babur, peaked under Akbar, declined after Aurangzeb.
Revenue Reforms: Akbar’s systematic land surveys, fair taxation, and welfare policies.
Art and Architecture: Indo-Islamic style, iconic structures like Taj Mahal, decline under Aurangzeb.
Literature: Persian and regional works flourished, with translations under Akbar.
Trade: Flourished via internal highways and western ports, with textiles as a major export.
Social Life: Village-based, caste-driven, with educational reforms under Akbar.
Deccan: Mughal expansion faced resistance from local powers and Marathas.