Maharashtra Board Class 11 History Chapter 15 India during Mughal period PDF Download

India During Mughal Period

The period of Delhi Sultanate was the first phase of Islamic rule in India. We have studied this phase in lesson 14. Ibrahim Lodi was the last Sultan of Delhi. He died while fighting with Babur. After that the Delhi Sultanate came to an end and the Mughal rule was established. After the decline of the Sultanate, the Mughal rule dominated the political scene during 1526 C.E. to 1707 C.E. During this period most of north and central India and some parts of the Deccan were under their control. The Mughal period was prosperous as far as the development in the fields of art and literature, administrative system, foreign relations, trade etc. are concerned.

15.1 Mughal Rule In India

In the beginning of the 16th century, the political condition in India was somewhat disturbed. The Sultanate rule had begun to decline after Muhammad Tughluq. The Delhi Sultanate broke down completely and many new independent kingdoms emerged in the North, Central and South India. The Bahamani kingdom got divided into five branches. The prosperous Vijaynagar empire was destroyed by the five Islamic ruling houses in the South. During the same period Portuguese began to settle on the western coast of India. The traditional military system of the Indian rulers in the mediaeval period was not capable of facing the onslaught of new challenges. The Indians were not familiar with modern weaponry. Taking advantage of all this, the Mughals established their rule in India.

The grand army of Ibrahim Lodi could not survive in front of Babur in the battle of Panipat. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi on the strength of configuration skills, strong artillery, system of secret intelligence and strong leadership. Babur established his rule in Delhi. The Rajput kings came together under the leadership of Mewar King Rana Sangha to counter him. Babur defeated the Rajputs in the Battle of Khanwa. After Babur, his elder son Humayun ascended the throne. But Humayun was deprived from the kingdom due to the defeat at the hands of Shershah Sur of Bihar.

Shershah Sur made some reforms in the administrative set up. He brought together the Afghan sardars scattered in North India and established the Afghan rule. The descendants of Shershah were not efficient. Hence after the death of Shershah, Humayun regained his lost kingdom.

After Humayun, his son Akbar ascended the throne. He proved to be the greatest Mughal Emperor because of his qualities such as high intelligence, tolerance, firmness and courage. The kingdom established by Babur was transformed into a great empire by Akbar. He established his rule from Kabul to Bengal and Kashmir to Varhad-Khandesh. During this period, Rana Pratap, the ruler of Mewar, put up a strong resistance against Akbar. Akbar could never win a war with Rana Pratap. Hence for the expansion of the empire, he adopted the strategy of persuasion with the Rajputs. Akbar had realized that if the Mughal rule has to be strengthened in India then he had to adopt non-offensive policies, which would be popular.

After Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb ruled efficiently. Aurangzeb attempted to expand his empire in the Deccan with prolonged campaigns. Aurangzeb reign is notable for his wars in frontier provinces, his political policies in North and south India, staunch religious policies, and the Mughal-Maratha conflict. This period is marked by the expansion of Maratha kingdom, interference by the Europeans in the political affairs of India and the decline of Mughal power. Finally, the aftermath of the struggle of Independence in 1857 C.E., saw the end of the Mughal rule under Bahadur Shah.

Teacher's Note

The Mughal Empire was very powerful and made India beautiful with great buildings like Taj Mahal. Just like today's India has a strong government, the Mughals had a strong system to rule many people.

Exam Trick

Remember: Akbar = greatest Mughal Emperor. Think of him as the most important ruler. He made the empire very big and strong, from Kabul to Bengal.

Points to Remember

Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi and started Mughal rule in 1526 C.E.
Akbar was the greatest Mughal Emperor and expanded the empire.
The Mughals ruled India for more than three centuries.
The Mughal rule ended in 1857 C.E. under Bahadur Shah.
Mughal rule was strong in North India and parts of South India.

15.2 Reforms In Revenue System

Akbar made further reforms in the revenue system implemented by Shershah Sur. This brought a certain discipline in the Mughal revenue system. He graded the cultivable land based on systematic land survey. The land was classified into four types on the basis of annual yield, i.e. fertile (supik), infertile (napik), irrigated (bagayat) and dry crop (jirayat) land. Individual land holdings of farmers were registered. An average of the annual yield in the last ten years was calculated and one third of this average yield was fixed as the base for the tax to be paid. The tax, thus fixed, was applicable for the span of ten years. This offered considerable respite to farmers for a span of ten years. Documents known as 'Kabulayat' and 'Patta' were prepared from the farmers after the fixing of the tax rate. The tax was collected in cash or in kind. The farmers were sanctioned loans for tilling the land, which could be repaid in installments. Concessions were also granted to the farmers during times of calamities like famine, floods, and epidemics. These were the Welfare policies of Emperor Akbar. Todarmal in emperor Akbar's court is known for his insights regarding the welfare of common people. His insights were instrumental for Akbar's land reforms.

Teacher's Note

Akbar helped farmers by giving them loans and reducing taxes when there was famine or flood. Like today when the government gives help to farmers during bad times, Akbar also cared for his people.

Exam Trick

Remember: Akbar divided land into 4 types - fertile, infertile, irrigated, and dry crop. This made tax collection fair and helped poor farmers know how much they had to pay.

Points to Remember

Land was divided into 4 types based on how good the soil was.
Tax was fixed for 10 years so farmers could plan better.
Farmers got loans to buy seeds and tools.
During famine and floods, taxes were reduced as help.
This system was fair to both the emperor and the farmers.

15.3 Art, Architecture, Literature

The reign of the three emperors, Akbar, Jahangir and Shahjahan was a period of peace, order and prosperity. A new era began in the field of art and architecture. The etched designs on the marble walls of Mosques, tombs and palaces are an evidence of the highly advanced styles of art and architecture. The carved designs on the tombs of Salim Chisti at Fatehpur Sikri and Taj Mahal are its paramount examples. During the period of Akbar and Jahangir the art of ivory carving received royal patronage. The Mughal paintings originated from the Persian styles of painting. There are miniature paintings of Persian style in the manuscript of 'Baburnama'. The art of painting received encouragement during the period of Akbar. He appointed skilled painters in his court. During the period of Jahangir, paintings were done based on the court and hunting scenes. The paintings of this period were done in a more realistic style, which is vibrant and attractive. These paintings, portray birds and animals, cloud formations, human figures, and natural scenery.

Teacher's Note

Mughal art and buildings were very beautiful. Just like we love to see our local temples and mosques, people loved the beautiful Mughal buildings like Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri.

Exam Trick

Remember: Akbar = paintings, Jahangir = hunting scenes in paintings, Shahjahan = Taj Mahal. Each emperor had his own style of art.

Points to Remember

Mughal art was a mix of Persian and Indian styles.
Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri are famous Mughal buildings.
Paintings showed birds, animals, hunting scenes, and nature.
Marble work with carved designs was very popular.
Every emperor supported artists and gave them money to work.

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