Why this matters now
The Mughals are among the most-tested topics — the line of emperors, Akbar’s policies, the mansabdari and revenue systems, Mughal art, and the causes of decline appear repeatedly in prelims and GS-1.
The Great Mughals
Babur founded the empire after Panipat (1526). Humayun lost and regained the throne (after Sher Shah Suri’s interlude). Akbar (1556–1605) consolidated and expanded it with a policy of religious tolerance (sulh-i-kul), abolishing jizya, and founding Din-i-Ilahi. Jahangir and Shah Jahan (the Taj Mahal) marked the cultural zenith; Aurangzeb expanded the empire to its greatest extent but his policies strained it.
Mansabdari and revenue systems
Akbar built the mansabdari system — a graded ranking (zat and sawar) of nobles serving as officials and military commanders. The land-revenue system, the zabt / dahsala system refined by Raja Todar Mal, assessed revenue on measured land and average yields. The empire was divided into subas (provinces) under subedars.
Culture and decline
The Mughals produced a glorious Indo-Persian culture — miniature painting, gardens, and architecture (Fatehpur Sikri, the Red Fort, the Taj Mahal). After Aurangzeb, the empire declined due to weak successors, wars of succession, over-expansion, the Jat/Sikh/Maratha revolts, financial and agrarian crisis, and foreign invasions (Nadir Shah, Ahmad Shah Abdali) — surviving nominally until 1857.
UPSC angle
Know the emperor sequence (Babur→Aurangzeb), Akbar’s tolerance (sulh-i-kul, jizya, Din-i-Ilahi), mansabdari (zat/sawar), Todar Mal’s zabt revenue, Mughal art, and the causes of decline.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded the Mughal Empire?
Babur, who defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
What was the mansabdari system?
Akbar’s graded ranking of nobles (by zat and sawar) who served as administrative and military officers of the empire.
What was Akbar’s policy of sulh-i-kul?
A policy of universal tolerance and peace among religions; he abolished the jizya and founded Din-i-Ilahi.
Why did the Mughal Empire decline?
Weak successors, wars of succession, over-expansion, regional revolts (Marathas, Sikhs, Jats), economic crisis and foreign invasions.