Mutual influence of Indian society and Mughal rulers
Babur (rules 1526-1530)
• conquers Delhi in 1526
• establishes Mughal Empire
• memoir: the Baburnama (“Book of Babur”)
Babur on Hindustan
“Hindustan is a place of little charm. There is no beauty in its people, no graceful social intercourse, no poetic talent or understanding, no etiquette, nobility, or manliness. The arts and crafts have no harmony or symmetry. There are no good horses, meat, grapes, melons, or other fruit. There is no ice, cold water, good food or bread in the markets. There are no baths and no madrasas [Islamic schools].
Aside from the streams and still waters that flow in ravines and hollows, there is no running water in their gardens or palaces.
The one nice aspect of Hindustan is that it is a large country with lots of gold and money.”[1]
Babur on the Flora of Hindustan
“When the mango is good it is really good. . . . In fact, the mango is the best fruit of Hindustan. . . . Some people praise the mango to such an extent that they prefer it to all fruit except the melon, but it is not so good as to warrant such praise.”[2]
Babur Builds a Garden
“I always thought one of the chief faults of Hindustan was that there was no running water. . . . Although there was really no suitable place near Agra, there was nothing to do but work with the space we had. The foundation was the large well from which the water for the bathhouse came. Next, the patch of ground with tamarind trees and octagonal pond became the great pool and courtyard. Then came the pool in front of the stone building and the hall. After that came the private garden and its outbuildings, and after that the bathhouse. Thus, in unpleasant and inharmonious India, marvelously regular and geometric gardens were introduced.”[3]
Humayun (1530-40, 1555-56)
• rebellion led by Afghan general in 1530 drives Mughal court into Persia
• Humayun returns to power in 1555 but dies accidentally in 1556
Akbar (1556-1605)
• consolidation of Mughal rule
• religious tolerance: Hindu wife, lifting of jizya tax on non-Muslims
• Akbar builds Fatehpur Sikri (but soon a ghost town)
• establishment of Mughal administrative systems
◦ keep nobility from accumulating enough power to challenge emperor
◦ incorporates Persian, even Hindustani nobles
◦ revenue system (based on zamindars) brings greater centralization
◦ little alteration in local life
• Akbar notable for incorporating elements of Indian society into Mughal system
Jahangir (1605-1627)
• executes fifth Sikh guru, Arjan
• war of succession after death
Shah Jahan (1627-1658)
• builds Delhi’s Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) and Red Fort, Agra’s Taj Mahal
• another war of succession between sons: tolerant Dara Shukoh vs. orthodox Aurangzeb
• Aurangzeb imprisons Shah Jahan in Agra Fort
Aurangzeb (1658-1707)
• policy of religious tolerance reversed
• military campaigns to expand Mughal empire
• administrative changes prompted by resulting financial strain
• jizya tax reimposed, land taxes raised, rebellions result
• Sikhs militarized as result of Mughal persecution
• Aurangzeb’s last years spent in massive campaign to conquer Marathas in Deccan
◦ “I came alone and I go as a stranger. I do not know who I am, nor what I have been doing. I have sinned terribly, & I do not know what punishment awaits me.”
• with Aurangzeb’s death, Mughal empire declines