The Great Mughals: Babar to Aurangzeb

The fourth period of India’s major contact with Muslim rule was the period of the Mughals. There were five great Mughal emperors: Babar; Akbar; Jahangir; Shah Jahan; and Aurangzeb. The founder of Mughal dynasty was Babar who inherited at age eleven his father’s small principality of Ferghana, in Uzbekistan. Babar’s son, Humayun, is known more for the remarkable tomb built over his grave than any heroic exploits or administrative or artistic achievements. In 1540, ten years into his reign, he was easily defeated by Sher Shah Suri and his son, Islam. Akbar succeeded to the throne at young age of thirteen and was initially guided by his regent, Bairam Khan. Akbar was a ruler in the true Indian tradition, allowing the right of religious freedom to all his subjects. In 1562, Akbar married a Rajput princess, Jodhabai, daughter of the powerful Raja Bihari Mal of Amber. Akbar’s son and successor, Jahangir, was born Muhammad Salim to a Hindu Rajput mother.