OBJECTIVE WWBAT Introduce the origins of the Mughal

OBJECTIVE � WWBAT: Introduce the origins of the Mughal Empire and major leaders of the Mughal Empire

� 2/15/2018 �Mughal Empire and Culture �This will be one page

Mughal Rise and Politics Abu Akbar’s Reign Religion and Culture

� Sunni Islamic Turkish nomadic group that invaded in the Indian subcontinent in the early 16 th Century � Empire lasted from 1526 -1857 � Conquered the Delhi Sultanate � They claimed descent from Genghis Khan � Mughal is a Persian term for Mongol � Relied on a military elite armed with firearms to lead invasion and establish their empire � Unified small regional kingdoms via conquest and eventually unified much of the India subcontinent

� Empire expanded consistently from its creation until the early part of the 18 th century

� Babur (1526 -1530) The First of the Mughals � Akbar (1556 -1605) The Great � Shah Jehan (1627 -1658) The Master Builder � Aurangzeb (1658 -1707) The Intolerant

� Early on relied upon a decentralized network of local administrators called zamindar �Essentially an aristocracy �Collected tribute(crops like rice, pepper, and cotton) from peasants kept 10% and sent quota to state �Often kept much more than the 10% they were permitted �Often hated by peasants, viewed as doing little work and profiting from their labor

� Eventually established a strong centralized bureaucracy �Hindus and Muslims involved � Were an Islamic empire ruling primarily Hindu subjects, so religious tolerance was major part of his government �Jizya sporadically enforced � Caste system was still present, but not nearly as important as in the past �Where do Muslim rulers, scholars, ect fit?

� He is regarded as one of the greatest rulers of all time, regardless of country � Responsible for expanded religious tolerance and further centralized government

� Akbar reformed this system of taxation in a way that both ensured higher revenues for the state as well as centralizing the power of the government � Akbar monetized the tax system, requiring peasants to pay taxes in currency rather than in agricultural produce �Sell harvests at state monitored markets for silver rupee or copper dam � Taxes had paid directly to the government

� Dramatically increased the wealth and power of the state and weakened the Zamindars � Invited Christian, Hindu and Muslim scholars to peaceful open debates about the merits of their religions at Ibada Khana(House of Worship) � Created his own syncretic religion called “the divine faith” which blended Islamic, Hindu and Zoroastrian beliefs �Din-i-ilahi (Religion of God/Godism)

� Persian art and culture introduced and became very influential on Indian culture � North and Western Indian especially � Persian and Urdu both adopted and spread as state languages

� Sikhism developed based on interactions between Islam and Hinduism � Sikhism=Islam's notion of the oneness of God with the Hindu concept of inclusiveness �Government used increased wealth to sponsor of art �Mostly painting and architecture �Used to legitimized and consolidate power

�Painting=Miniatures, battles, court scenes, receptions, legendary stories, hunting scenes, wildlife, portraits, ect �Architecture=Blend of Islamic, Persian, and Hindu styles �Mausolea(tomb) and mosques �Large bulbous domes, slender minarets at the corners, massive halls, large vaulted gateways and delicate ornamentation

THE TAJ MAHAL

THE TAJ MAHAL � Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan � Mausoleum � She for his 3 rd wife died giving birth to their 14 th child