Successors of Akbar

Jahangir was the eldest son of Akbar. His real name was Salim. He succeeded Akbar and assumed the tittle of 'Nuruddin Jahangir'. He ruled between 1605 and 1627.

Jahangir followed the system of administration introduced by Akbar. He also introduced some reforms like abolition of transit and customs duties and banning the use of wine and tobacco. He continued his father's policy of matrimonial alliances with the Rajputs and won over their loyalty. He is famous for his justice. It is said that he got constructed a long golden chain with bells, which was tied to the wall of the palace. Anyone unjustly treated by the government officials could pull the chain and make his complaint that was listened and solved by Jahangir.

Mehr-un-Nisa was wife of Sher Afghan who was killed by Jahangir. After her husband's death, she married Jahangir. Jahangir made her his chief queen and gave her the tittle of 'Nur Jahan'. She was promoted to the status of 'Padshah Begum'.

Jahangir consulted her on all matters. She not only set the fashion in dress and manners at the court but also looked after the political matters in the state. Once when Jahangir fell ill for a long period, she took over the administration and became the virtual ruler of the empire. During the last 16 years of his reign, Jahangir left the entire administration in her hands. She became so powerful that even the coins were issued jointly in the name of Jahangir and Nur Jahan. She retired from court life after the death of Jahangir in 1627.

Qandahar was lost to the Persians as Shah of Persia captured it in 1622. This was serious blow for Mughals as Qandahar was important for Indian trade with western Asia. Besides this, it was easier for the Mughals to defend themselves against attacks from Central and Western Asia from Qandahar.

(a) Jahangir's contribution to Painting — Jahangir was a patron for learning and arts such as poetry, architecture, music, painting, etc. During Jahangir's reign miniature paintings became popular. It has been said that Jahangir's interest in painting was so deep that he could recognise each painting by the style of the artist. The famous painters of his court were Mansur, Murad, Bishan Das and Abdul Hassan.

(b) Shah Jahan's contribution to Architecture — Shah Jahan's reign has been described as the 'Golden Period' of art and architecture. On account of continued peace and prosperity during his reign, Shah Jahan devoted himself to art and architecture. The most impressive of the buildings constructed by him is the Taj Mahal at Agra, the mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was built in 22 years. Built in white marbles with delicate screens and pietra dura inlay work. The Taj is a beautiful combination of Indian, Central Asian and Persian architecture. Shah Jahan also constructed two famous mosques- the Moti Masjid in Agra and Jama Masjid in Delhi. He also built Red Fort which has many beautiful buildings like Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Rang Mahal and the famous Peacock throne studded with precious stones. The ceremonial halls of public and private audience (Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Aam) were carefully planned. These were set up within a large courtyard and were called chihil sutun or forty-pillared halls.

During the early years of his reign, Aurangzeb attached great value to his alliance with the Rajputs. He tried to secure the active support of the Rajputs and gave them high mansabs. However, later on Aurangzeb came in conflict with the Rajput rulers of Mewar and Marwar, two major kingdoms in Rajasthan. The conflict in Marwar began when its ruler Jaswant Singh died without a male heir and Aurangzeb refused to acknowledge Jaswant Singh's posthumous son Ajit Singh as his successor. When the Rana of Mewar decided to support the claim of Ajit Singh, Aurangzeb attacked Mewar and the war continued till he signed a peace treaty with the new Rana of Mewar.

The Marathas became a strong force under the leadership of Shivaji in the Deccan. Aurangzeb turned his attention towards the Deccan, where he spent the last 26 years of his reign. He annexed Bijapur in 1685 and Golconda in 1687. The third great power of importance in the Deccan was the Marathas. In spite of the repeated attacks, the Mughals could not succeed against the Marathas. Aurangzeb did not try to make peace with the Marathas and continued with his policy of war. The continuous wars depleted the royal treasury and led to the loss of a number of soldiers. Further, Aurangzeb's long absence from northern India led to the rise of rebellions in the north. Thus, we can say that the Deccan policy of Aurangzeb was a failure.

The 17th century in medieval history is known as an 'age of magnificence'. It was during this period that the Mughal Empire reached the zenith of its glory. Akbar laid the foundations of a strong empire, which was further expanded and consolidated by Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Auragzeb. There was peace and prosperity throughout the empire. This enabled the rulers to devote themselves to the construction of magnificent buildings and mosques using marble and red sandstone. Trade and commerce with foreign countries made considerable progress. This resulted in the inflow of foreign wealth into India and increase in state imcome.

Three reasons for the weakening of the Mughal empire were:

1. Aurangzeb gave up Akbar's policies of diplomacy and religious tolerance. He reimposed jizya and the pilgrim tax on the non-muslims and removed them from high posts under the state.
2. Aurangzeb's policy of continuous war in the Deccan further weakened the empire.
3. The successors of Aurangzeb were incapable of maintaining the integrity of such a vast empire.

(a) Sir John Hawkins

(b) Sir Thomas Roe

(a) Bijapur

(b) Golconda

(a) Persian

(b) Turkish

(a) Mansur

(b) Murad

(a) Champat Rai

(b) Chhatarsal

(a) Mewar

(b) Marwar

(a) Bijapur

(b) Golconda

(a) The given building is Red fort. It is located at Delhi.

(b) Red fort was built by Shah Jahan. The significance of Red Fort lies in the fact that the National Flag of India is hoisted at Red Fort on Independence day and Republic day.

(c) Shah Jahan's reign has been described as the 'Golden Period' of art and architecture. On account of continued peace and prosperity during his reign, Shah Jahan devoted himself to art and architecture. The most impressive of the buildings constructed by him is the Taj Mahal at Agra, the mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was built in 22 years. Built in white marbles with delicate screens and pietra dura inlay work. The Taj is a beautiful combination of Indian, Central Asian and Persian architecture. Shah Jahan also constructed two famous mosques- the Moti Masjid in Agra and Jama Masjid in Delhi. He also built Red Fort which has many beautiful buildings like Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Rang Mahal and the famous Peacock throne studded with precious stones. The ceremonial halls of public and private audience (Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Aam) were carefully planned. These were set up within a large courtyard and were called chihil sutun or forty-pillared halls.