MUGHAL EMPEROR

PRERNA FOR IAS

MUGHAL EMPEROR

1. Mughal Economy

The Mughal economy was one of the strongest economies of the medieval world and was mainly based on agriculture. Around 80% of the population depended on farming, producing crops such as wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, indigo, millet, and oilseeds. Land revenue was the primary source of state income, and Akbar’s Finance Minister Raja Todar Mal introduced the Dahsala system for fair tax assessment. Industries like textiles, silk, metalwork, shipbuilding, and handicrafts flourished. India exported cotton textiles, spices, indigo, silk, and sugar while importing horses, gold, silver, and luxury goods. A well-organized currency system encouraged domestic and international trade.

2. Mughal Administration

The Mughal administration was a highly centralized system headed by the Emperor, who exercised supreme authority over governance, justice, and the military. The empire was divided into provinces called Subas, each governed by a Subedar and assisted by officials such as the Diwan, Bakshi, Qazi, and Sadr. Provinces were further divided into districts, parganas, and villages for efficient administration. Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system, which classified military and civil officers according to rank and responsibilities. Raja Todar Mal developed the Dahsala land revenue system based on average agricultural production. This administrative structure ensured political stability and effective governance.

3. Mughal Literature

The Mughal period (1526–1857) is regarded as a golden age of Indian literature. Persian was the official language of the Mughal court, leading to the creation of famous works such as Baburnama, Akbarnama, Ain-i-Akbari, Humayunnama, and Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri. Hindi literature also flourished with poets like Tulsidas, Surdas, Keshavdas, Bihari, Rahim, and Raskhan, who enriched devotional and classical literature. Sanskrit received royal patronage, and many important texts were translated into Persian, including the Mahabharata as the Razmnama. Urdu literature also developed significantly, laying the foundation for later literary traditions.

4. Mughal Architecture

Mughal architecture represents a magnificent blend of Indian, Persian, Turkish, and Central Asian styles. It flourished between the 16th and 18th centuries under Mughal patronage. Its main features include large domes, grand gateways, minarets, symmetrical designs, Charbagh gardens, marble inlay work (Pietra Dura), red sandstone, and elegant calligraphy. Babur introduced Persian-style gardens, while Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri and Buland Darwaza. Jahangir developed beautiful gardens, and Shah Jahan brought Mughal architecture to its peak by constructing the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Jama Masjid. Aurangzeb later built the Bibi Ka Maqbara at Aurangabad.

5. Causes of the Decline of the Mughal Empire