1. Mughal Rulers & Dynastic Timeline
- Babur (1526–1530)
- First Battle of Panipat (1526) vs. Ibrahim Lodi
- Battle of Khanwa (1527) vs. Rana Sanga
- Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama) – Autobiography (Chagatai Turkish)
- Humayun (1530–1540, 1555–1556)
- Defeated by Sher Shah Suri (1540)
- Exile & return (1555) with Persian help
- Din Panah (Delhi fort)
- Akbar (1556–1605)
- Second Battle of Panipat (1556) vs. Hemu
- Mansabdari System (Rank-based bureaucracy)
- Din-i-Ilahi (Syncretic religion)
- Sulh-i-Kul (Universal peace policy)
- Navratnas (Birbal, Tansen, etc.)
- Jahangir (1605–1627)
- Nur Jahan (Influential queen)
- Mughal-Sikh conflicts (Guru Arjan Dev’s execution)
- Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri (Autobiography)
- Shah Jahan (1628–1658)
- Taj Mahal (Built for Mumtaz Mahal)
- Red Fort (Delhi), Jama Masjid
- Peak of Mughal architecture
- Aurangzeb (1658–1707)
- Alamgir (Title)
- Reimposed Jizya tax (1679)
- Annexed Deccan (Golconda, Bijapur)
- Conflict with Shivaji & Sikhs
- Later Mughals (1707–1857)
- Bahadur Shah I (1707–1712)
- Farrukhsiyar (1713–1719) – Signed 1717 Firman (British trade rights)
- Muhammad Shah (1719–1748) – Nadir Shah’s invasion (1739)
- Shah Alam II (1759–1806) – Battle of Buxar (1764)
- Bahadur Shah Zafar II (Last Mughal, 1857 Revolt)
2. Administration & Governance
- Centralized Monarchy
- Mansabdari System (Rank & salary system)
- Zabt (Land Revenue) – Todar Mal’s Dahsala System
- Jagirdari System (Land grants to nobles)
- Subahs, Sarkars, Parganas (Administrative divisions)
- Diwan, Mir Bakshi, Sadr-us-Sudur (Key officials)
Check the complete list of Administration and Governance.
3. Economy & Society
- Agriculture – Cash crops (cotton, indigo)
- Trade – Surat, Hooghly, Masulipatnam ports
- European Companies – EIC, Dutch, Portuguese
- Coinage – Gold Mohur, Silver Rupiya, Copper Dam
- Zamindars (Landlords)
- Sati, Child Marriage, Purdah (Social issues)
Complete list of important keywords for Economy and Society during the Mughals
4. Art, Architecture & Culture
Architecture
- Indo-Islamic/Persian style
- Fatehpur Sikri (Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal)
- Red Fort (Delhi), Agra Fort
- Shalimar Gardens (Lahore)
- Moti Masjid (Agra), Jama Masjid (Delhi)
Paintings & Literature
- Mughal Miniature Paintings (Persian influence)
- Akbar’s Razmnama (Mahabharata translation)
- Jahangir’s patronage (Ustad Mansur – naturalist paintings)
- Persian as court language
Music & Science
- Tansen (Akbar’s court)
- Ain-i-Akbari (Abul Fazl) – Detailed Mughal administration
5. Religion & Policies
- Akbar’s Religious Tolerance
- Ibadat Khana (Debates)
- Abolished Jizya & Pilgrim Tax
- Aurangzeb’s Orthodox Policies
- Ban on music, art
- Temple destruction (Kashi Vishwanath, Mathura)
Check the complete list for the Religions and Policies of the Mughal
6. Foreign Travellers & Sources
- Bernier (French criticised the Mughal economy)
- Tavernier (French, described trade)
- Manucci (Italian, detailed Aurangzeb’s reign)
- Ain-i-Akbari & Akbarnama (Abul Fazl)
7. Decline of Mughals
- Causes:
- Aurangzeb’s Deccan wars (Financial drain)
- Jagirdari Crisis (Noble Revolts)
- Rise of Marathas, Sikhs, British
- Key Events:
- Nadir Shah’s invasion (1739) – Peacock Throne looted
- Battle of Plassey (1757) – EIC’s rise
- 1857 Revolt – End of Mughal rule