Mughal Rule In India

The Mughal era in India is considered to be the most illuminated period in Indian History. During the Mughal era, the Mughal rulers were characterized by highly centralized administration linking the different areas of the country. The Mughal rulers reshaped the country by all their socio-political and economic representation. Their energetic legacy which was characterized by the expansion of Persian culture affects the Indian subcontinent even in recent days. Read the article below to know who founded the Mughal empire in India.

Who Was The Founder of The Mughal Empire In India?

Babur, who established the basis of the new rules of the dynasty in India in 1526 AD is known as the founder of the Mughal empire in India. The Mughal dynasty produced efficient rulers one after the other from Babur to Aurangabez, providing political unity to different parts of India for a long period, managing it well, and hence bringing peace and prosperity within the empire.

When Did Mughals Came To India?

Mughal rule in India was believed to have commenced in 1526 AD, when Ibrahim Lodhi, the Sultan of Delhi was defeated by Babur. It ended in 1857 AD when Britishers overthrew and exiled the last Mughal emperor of India named Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Who Was The First Mughal Ruler of India?

Babur was the first Mughal ruler of India. The throne of Ferghana was captured by him when he was only 12 years old in 1494.  Babur was forced to leave his ancestor's seat as it was captured by another Mongol group, the Uzbeks.

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Mughal History In India

Mughal history in India which began in 1526 CE with Babur's accession to the throne ended in 1857 CE. The Mughal Period of India is regarded as one of its Golden Era. Mughal rule in India was established by Babur. Babur’s grandson, Akbar is regarded as one of the renowned Mughal rulers. Humayun (son of Babur) lost his kingdom for almost 15 years but regained it with help of the Safavid dynasty of Persia. Neither Babur nor his son was able to consolidate Mughal rule in the country. It was under Akbar that the Mughal Empire took shape and was considered to be one of the greatest empires to rule India.

Akbar’s son, Jehangir, conquered the throne after his death and is known for his art love. Painting thrived under his rule and he championed many artists. His wife Nur Jahan ruled on his behalf when the emperor began to ignore his affairs in the court. Coins are known to have been issued in her name during his dominance. Jehangir was an impartial emperor like his father.

Shah Jahan, who succeeded Jehangir, was not as broad-minded as Akbar or Jehangir, but he was not conservative either. Shah Jahan endorsed arts in all its forms. India became the richest center for arts, crafts, and architecture under his rule. The Indian trade economy was very stable during this period. Aurangzeb (the son of Shah Jahan)  placed him under house arrest after proving victorious in a war of succession which took place when Shah Jahan was ill. During the period of Shah Jahan’s illness in 1657,  his four sons initiated a struggle of succession, from which Aurangzeb was declared as a conqueror in 1658. Aurangzeb declared himself emperor and he placed his father under house arrest in the fort of Agra. It was during his house arrest that Shah Jahan ordered the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Aurangzeb was known to have a conservative nature. He reestablished the jizya, a tax to be paid by non-Muslims in a Muslim state, which Akbar had previously abolished. Aurangzeb undertook several journeys to expand his territories. He often conflicted with the Maratha soldiers, Shivaji. Aurangzeb's death led to the decline of the Great Mughal Empire.

Aurangzeb’s successors are referred to as the Later Mughals and are unfamiliar with the history of the Mughal Empire in India in comparison to the Great Mughals.

'Mughal History in India’ has been a renowned topic among researchers, students, and historians. 

The Mughal Coinage

The Mughal ruler Babar issued silver and copper coins. His broad and thin flan silver coins are known as Shahrukhi. The standard weight of the coin named Shahrukhi was about 4.5 gm with Kalima. The name of four great Caliphs was on one side of the coin and the ruler’s name was with his title, date, and the mint name on the other side of the coin.

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The Mughal ruler Akbar issued gold, silver, and copper coins, and these were known as Muhar, rupiya, dam or falus, or tanka respectively. The standard weight gold and silver coins were about 11-11.5 gm with their denominations. The standard weight of the coins named Dams or Falus is about 20 gm. 

Akbar in his 30 ruling years introduced the Ilahi calendar. The name of the months in ILahi calendar is observed as (Farwardi, Ardibahisht, Khurdad, Tir, Amardad, Shahrewar, Mehar, Abaan, Azr Di, Bahman, Asfandermuz) adopted from Zoroastrian/ Persian calendar. The gold and silver coins issued by Ilahi did not have the name Akbar inscribed in it.  But the mint name and Ilhai month with RY, written as falus (mint name) on the one side and RY Ilahi month name (37 Ilahi Di) on the other side was mentioned in the coins. 

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The Mughal ruler Jahangir issued coins under the name of his wife Nurjahan. Her name in the joints is inscribed in the form of a couplet. Jahangir was the only Indian ruler known to have issued coins representing different Zodiac signs both in gold and silver. He was the only Indian Muslim ruler who had issued coins with his portrait and also the portrait of his father, Akbar. The inscription in the form of a Persian couplet has commonly been observed on the coins of Jahangir.

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The important changes in the inscription of the Mughal coinage were made by Aurangzeb. He ignored the long tradition of inscribing Kalima and the name of Caliphs from the coins. He altogether introduced a new legend in place of this, which had nothing to do with any religion, not even Islam. Aurangzeb coins, specifically silver and gold were issued with the legend sikkazadchu Badr Munirdarjahan Shah Aurangzeb Alamgir on the one side and Manus maimanatsanahjuluszarb on the other side of the coin.

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