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Apr 21, 1526
Battle of Panipat
April 21, 1526, marks the beginning of the Mughal Empire. The forces of Babur, a Central Asian ruler who was descended from the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan, defeat the Lodi Empire of Northern India. This is one of the earliest battles to involve gunpowder, firearms, and field artillery. Babur's rule is marked by ongoing wars of aggression, which prevent him from stabilizing his empire. -
Apr 21, 1526
Battle of Panipat
April 21, 1526, marks the beginning of the Mughal Empire. The forces of Babur, a Central Asian ruler who was descended from the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan, defeat the Lodi Empire of Northern India. This is one of the earliest battles to involve gunpowder, firearms, and field artillery. Babur's rule is marked by ongoing wars of aggression, which prevent him from stabilizing his empire. -
Dec 26, 1530
Babur's death
Babur's death in 1530 leads to difficulties with his son Humayun's succession. Some of the nobles instead try to install Humayun's uncle, Mahdi Khwaja, and, though they are defeated, it signals Humayun's weakness. Humayun gains the throne in 1531. Sher Shah Suri, the leader of the rival Sur dynasty, drives Humayun out of India and seizes power in 1540. Humayun takes refuge with the Safavid rulers in Persia, which serves to create a strong bond with the two dynasties -
Dec 26, 1530
Burbur's death
Babur's death in 1530 leads to difficulties with his son Humayun's succession. Some of the nobles instead try to install Humayun's uncle, Mahdi Khwaja, and, though they are defeated, it signals Humayun's weakness. Humayun gains the throne in 1531. Sher Shah Suri, the leader of the rival Sur dynasty, drives Humayun out of India and seizes power in 1540. Humayun takes refuge with the Safavid rulers in Persia, which serves to create a strong bond with the two dynasties -
Jan 26, 1531
Mahdi Khwaja are defeated
Mahdi Khwaja, and, though they are defeated, it signals Humayun's weakness. Humayun gains the throne in 1531. -
Jan 26, 1540
Sher Shah Suri drives Humayun out of India
her Shah Suri, the leader of the rival Sur dynasty, drives Humayun out of India and seizes power in 1540. Humayun takes refuge with the Safavid rulers in Persia, which serves to create a strong bond with the two dynasties -
Jan 26, 1554
humayun takes the throne
Humayun's succession. Some of the nobles instead try to install Humayun's uncle -
Jan 26, 1555
Humayun takes advantage of the deaths of both Sher Shah Suri and his son and successor, Islam Shah,
On July 23, 1555, Humayun takes advantage of the deaths of both Sher Shah Suri and his son and successor, Islam Shah, to march an army provided by his Persian allies back to India. He puts the army under the leadership of Bairam Khan. -
Jan 26, 1556
Humaya retakes Delhi for Humayun
He retakes Delhi for Humayun and restores the Mughals to power. On January 27, 1556, shortly after retaking power, Humayun stops for daily prayer in the middle of carrying books down a flight of stairs and trips. He is fatally injured and dies three days late -
Jan 26, 1556
Akbar
Humayun's son, Akbar, succeeds him under a regent, Bairam Khan, the general who had won victory for his father. -
Jan 26, 1561
Sur Dynasty once again attempts to seize power
the rival Sur Dynasty once again attempts to seize power. On November 5, 1556, under Bairam Khan, the Mughal army defeats the Surs and solidifies Akbar's control -
Jahangir
Jahangir, Akbar's oldest son, is the declared successor, he impatiently leads a revolt against his father in 1599 while Akbar is occupied in a foreign military campaign. While he is defeated, he still has enough political support from the women in Akbar's harem, including Akbar's mother, to retain his role as successor -
Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan. It is during this period that the court's opulence becomes more expensive than its value -
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The white marble mausoleum is recognized by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture. Shah Jahan falls ill in 1658, and his eldest son -
Dara Shikoh
Dara Shikoh, becomes regent for him. However, due to his liberal politics, his younger brothe -
Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb, allies with conservative Islamic factions to oppose him -
British East India Company
British East India Company has become the protector of the Mughal Empire, using it to solidify their claim on trade with India. Bahadur Shah Zafar, the final Mughal ruler, leads a revolt against them, although he is in reality little more than a figurehead.
