The Dynasty that changed the fate of a country

For two hundred years this dynasty kept sequence of huge areas of India. The seven rulers had an exceptional flair for leading and their system of governance was highly productive and efficient. Northern India, majority was under Mughal authority throughout 16th-18th centuries due to their strong order. Babur whose actual name was Zahir-ud-din Muhammad started the Mughal Empire by defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 and ruled until 1530. Besides being a conqueror Babur was the descendant of both Timur and Genghis Khan, and that heritage was the empire’s during its rise and colorful history. Babur was born in the Fergana valley, now in Uzbekistan territory. Despite being constantly outnumbered his armies he always won the fight. He utilized gunpowder and heavy artillery in new ways that Indian had never seen before. In 1526 at the First Battle of Panipat, he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, and then in 1527 he won over Rana Sanga at the Battle of Khanwa.

Babur was not only a warrior but also a narrator. He left us with a short autobiography Baburnama in which he exposed his innermost feelings, how he viewed the world and what kind of a ruler he was. In the following three hundred years, the Mughal lineage which he started still wished to keep shaping India in dramatic ways, mainly in art, culture and architecture. They left a mark throughout the whole Indian history. Mughal painting presents a mixture of Indian and Persian painting styles that brought forth a new world. Princely patronage left India’s artistic heritage enriched and the Mughal emperors were indeed real connoisseurs.The Mughal Empire at its peak included much of the Indian subcontinent from the early 1500s until the mid-1800s. Babur, who started it in 1526, was from a noble family of Turkic-Mongol origin.

The dynasty later grew under the rule of Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. During their reign the empire enjoyed political stability, military power, magnificent buildings, and a mixture of Persian, Central Asian, and Indian ways and cultures. Mughal painting leads the way among Mughal contributions. These tiny, delicate works of arts come alive through meticulous brushstrokes and explosive color. They were also not meant for mere ornaments as they conveyed stories. The artists illustrated manuscripts that turned books into visual stories. The Baburnama and Akbarnama rank among the most famous ones, notable probably being Akbar who, along with his sense of justice and his openness, felt a great urge for uniting Hindus and Muslims. Besides abolishing discriminatory taxes on non-Muslims, he also put together a solid government that lasted long. Shah Jahan’s love for building led to the construction of the Taj Mahal, the magnificent white fairy-tale that leaves visitors spellbound even today.

Aurangzeb was the last amongst the mighty Mughal rulers who stretched his empire to its utmost limits but in doing so his strict manner of ruling ended up stirring up revolts. India’s culture was greatly enlivened by a very colorful blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic elements that the Mughals introduced. Their royal courts were abuzz with poetry, fables, and learning. Want to rub shoulders with the greatest scribes or catch the freshest rhyming sounds? Mughal court is where it is happening. The Mughals went beyond their love for languages; they were instrumental in their development. Urdu which is a major Indian language today came into existence during that era. It is essentially a combination of Indian and Persian features and it flourished with the backing of Mughals. On the other hand Persian was the language of the elite circles especially in literary and poetic efforts thus it had a great impact on artistic expressions. Music, too, found a place in the musical surroundings of Mughal courts.

The emperors not only appreciated songs but together with their musical entertainers who they encouraged to work innovatively they gave rise new forms of music. This is the reason why over time distinct styles of Qawwali and Ghazal developed which continue to touch our hearts even today. With their art, the Mughals cant be forgotten in the history of Indian architecture. Monumental, perfect symmetrical and with intricate designs are some of the Mughal style features. Mughal heritage in India is represented by the Taj Mahal its most famous monument. Shah Jahan built it as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal and it has become worldwide symbol of everlasting love and architectural masterwork. Another of Shah Jahan’s Mughal architectural masterpieces is the Red Fort. It is one of the most magnificent buildings of Indian architecture with huge walls and beautifully worked details that not only attract visitors but are also a symbol of Indian’s historical richness. At present, it is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. Actually, all good things come to an end. Even with its splendor, the Mughal Empire was a fading shadow.

The royal family fighting for power resulted in their losing grip on authority. The nobility, by becoming comfortable, lost a great deal of their capabilities and dedication from the past. As Mughal control was being challenged by the emergence of other powerful groups such as the Marathas and Sikhs, the conflict didn’t stop. Economically, the empire was deteriorating as well. The crops were failing and the money was frivolously spent by the emperors. The once mighty army had become outdated because of old tactics, lack of proper training, and refusal to adopt new technology. What was more, Mughal rulers had to deal with the invasions from Persia and Afghanistan which kept on diminishing their land and wealth.During the Mughal golden age (roughly from 1526 to 1707), the emperors had a particular interest in paintings especially of man, nature, birds and animals. They employed highly skilled painters, who depicted the courtly life as well as the Indian natural setting. At that time, a new pictorial language was created, a blend of Persian, Indian, and even European elements, particularly in illustrated books and personal albums.

These personal collections, comprising poetry, calligraphy, portraits and sketches, were more than mere compilations. The emperors considered them as treasured personal relics to be passed down through the generations. Today, you can still appreciate the artistry and the desire to explore behind those works a few centuries later.While it might be argued that the Mughal Empire left an indelible mark on Indian history especially in art, culture and architecture, it also persisted through their patronage of painting, literature and poetry up to some of the highest achievements of those times. The combination of detailed miniature paintings and lyrically expressive poetry is still going strong nowadays.Together with these great works, the buildings they left behind actually pose the foundation of India’s architectural identity. Besides being mere landmarks, both the Taj Mahal and Red Fort are symbols of the creative genius and visionary leadership of that age.

The Mughals blended Indian, Persian and Islamic traditions successfully resulting in a culture that was both unique and influential.They belong to our heritage as well. Fatehpur Sikri city and all the incredible structures that these emperors built attract visitors from all over the world. The empire was flourishing for centuries and it reached unbelievable heights but at the beginning of the 1700s it started to fall apart. However, the power that the Mughals had over art and culture of India is still evident today.