The Mughal emperors were feisty rulers who took pleasure in warfare. India was invaded by the Mughal ruler Babur in 1526. In the famous battle of Panipat, Babur managed to defeat the Last of the Lodis, Ibrahim Lodi. In this battle, gunpowder was first used as a weapon on Indian soil. This led on to the Mughal Empire being touted as the ‘Gunpowder Empire’. This is how the Mughal invaders set foot in the rich Indian Subcontinent. They started a dynasty that ruled for more than a century. The Mughal people were actually descendants of ‘Mongols’; Babur, a descendent of Chengiz Khan. The Mughal kings retained a lot of values from their ancestors, including the act of setting up tents during war. In this article we will explore some quirky anecdotes from the Mughal rule in India.
The Mughal ruler who brought about reform
Akbar was a Mughal ruler loved by all and sundry. Not only was he a ruthless conqueror, he was also known for his compassion and artistic sensibilities. During his rule, the Mughal empire was doubled in size due to his successful war strategies. He brought in social and administrative reforms for the betterment of his people. It is said that he used to disguise himself as a commoner and intermingle with his subjects. This way, he would get to know of the problems faced by his subjects. He friendliness towards Rajputs was very evident. His marriage to Jodha Bai, a Rajput princess only affirmed that he was a liberal king open to communal harmony. He did not foster religious rigidity like other Muslim rulers. He used this communal harmony to increase his reach among the vast population. All in all, he was a loved king, an animal lover, an artist, and a great warrior.
The ruler who brought colour to the culture quotient of the Mughal empire
Shah Jahan was the Mughal emperor responsible for most of the beautiful architecture found in the North of India. During his reign, Shah Jahan took artistry to a new zenith. He encouraged several regal forms of painting; these albums have been preserved in museums all over the world. His love for beautiful buildings found cultural immortality. He built one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. A tomb for his beloved wife, The Taj Mahal is resplendent with all the beauty that can be encompassed with architecture. During this span, tomb gardens became incredibly popular and many were made. Shah Jahan moved the Mughal capital to Delhi and built the Red Fort, another architectural wonder. The imperial Mughal palace was built within this structure. There are a number of paintings depicting life during this period stored away in archives. Shah Jahan was a great proprietor of art. He promoted and encouraged various different forms of painting including the formal portraiture of the Mughal era and ink sketching.
The Mughal rule in India stretches on for a long period. During this period, a lot of changes were brought about in Hindustan. Although they invaded, looted and plundered the wealth of this country, they also gave it some great rulers. Rulers who brought reform and laid a strong foundation of rich cultural heredity.
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