MUGHAL EMPIRE – Complete Study Notes for UPSC
These notes are specially prepared for UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims + Mains). Read carefully for conceptual clarity, chronology, administration, economy, culture, and decline.
1. Introduction
The Mughal Empire was one of the most powerful and influential empires in Indian history. It was founded by Babur in 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat. The empire ruled large parts of the Indian subcontinent from 1526 to 1857.
- Founder: Babur
- Established: 1526
- End: 1857 (Bahadur Shah Zafar)
- Capital: Agra, Delhi, Fatehpur Sikri (at different times)
2. Important Mughal Rulers
Babur (1526–1530)
- Founder of Mughal Empire
- Won First Battle of Panipat (1526)
- Defeated Rana Sanga (Battle of Khanwa – 1527)
- Wrote autobiography "Tuzuk-i-Baburi"
Humayun (1530–1540, 1555–1556)
- Defeated by Sher Shah Suri
- Regained throne in 1555
- Died after falling from library stairs
Akbar (1556–1605)
- Greatest Mughal ruler
- Second Battle of Panipat (1556) against Hemu
- Introduced Mansabdari System
- Started Din-i-Ilahi
- Abolished Jizya tax
- Land revenue system: Todar Mal's Zabti system
Jahangir (1605–1627)
- Real name: Salim
- Married Noor Jahan
- Allowed British East India Company (1600s)
Shah Jahan (1628–1658)
- Golden Age of Mughal Architecture
- Built Taj Mahal, Red Fort
Aurangzeb (1658–1707)
- Longest reigning Mughal ruler
- Re-imposed Jizya tax
- Expanded empire to maximum territorial limits
- Deccan campaigns weakened empire financially
Bahadur Shah Zafar (1837–1857)
- Last Mughal Emperor
- Associated with Revolt of 1857
- Exiled to Rangoon by British
3. Mughal Administration
Central Administration
- Emperor was supreme authority
- Wazir – Prime Minister
- Diwan – Revenue head
- Mir Bakshi – Military head
- Sadr-us-Sudur – Religious affairs
Mansabdari System
- Introduced by Akbar
- Rank system for military & civil officers
- Two ranks: Zat and Sawar
4. Economy
- Main source: Land revenue
- Zabt system under Todar Mal
- Cash crop cultivation increased
- Trade with Persia, Central Asia, Europe
- Ports: Surat, Masulipatnam
5. Mughal Architecture
- Humayun’s Tomb – First garden tomb
- Taj Mahal – Symbol of love
- Red Fort – Delhi
- Jama Masjid
- Fatehpur Sikri
- Use of red sandstone and marble
- Large domes
- Charbagh garden system
6. Religion Policy
- Akbar – Religious tolerance
- Din-i-Ilahi
- Sulh-i-Kul (Universal Peace)
- Aurangzeb – Orthodox Sunni policies
7. Causes of Decline
- Weak successors after Aurangzeb
- Heavy military expenses
- Religious intolerance
- Rise of Marathas, Sikhs, Rajputs
- Invasions of Nadir Shah (1739)
- British expansion
8. Important UPSC Points
- Mansabdari = Administrative backbone
- Revenue system = Economic base
- Religious policy = Political stability factor
- Architecture = Cultural synthesis
- Decline = Combination of internal & external factors