CBSE Notes Class 7 History Chapter 4-The Mughal Empire 

The first Mughal emperor, Babur (1526–1530), took control of ancient Delhi after defeating Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526. The Mughals began to extend their kingdom from Agra and Delhi in the second half of the 16th century, and by the 17th century, they had practically complete authority over the subcontinent. They left a legacy that is unmatched. 

Who were the Mughals?

The Mughals were a dynasty of rulers who established and ruled over the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The Mughals were of Central Asian Turkic and Mongol origin, with their roots tracing back to present-day Uzbekistan. The word "Mughal" is derived from the Persian word "Mugh" or "Mongol," referring to their Mongol ancestry. 

Mughal Military Campaigns

The Mughal Empire was known for its military campaigns and expansion across the Indian subcontinent. The Mughal rulers, from Babur to Aurangzeb, conducted several military expeditions to consolidate their rule and extend their territories. Here are some notable military campaigns conducted by the Mughals:

1. Babur:

• Battle of Panipat (1526): Babur's victory over Ibrahim Lodi established the Mughal Empire in India.
• Battle of Khanwa (1527): Babur defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar and consolidated his control over northern India.

2. Akbar:

• Siege of Chittorgarh (1567-1568): Akbar besieged and captured the fort of Chittorgarh, a significant Rajput stronghold.
• Battle of Haldighati (1576): Akbar's forces, led by his general Man Singh, faced Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar, resulting in a stalemate.

3.Jahangir:

• Mewar Campaigns: Jahangir conducted campaigns against Mewar but faced resistance from Rana Amar Singh and Rana Karan Singh.

4. Shah Jahan:

• Deccan Campaigns: Shah Jahan conducted several campaigns in the Deccan region to suppress regional powers and expand Mughal control.
• Campaigns against the Ahoms: Shah Jahan's forces faced resistance from the Ahom kingdom in Assam, resulting in prolonged conflicts.

5. Aurangzeb:

• Expansion in the Deccan: Aurangzeb launched a series of campaigns to annex Bijapur, Golconda, and other Deccan Sultanates.
• Campaigns against the Marathas: Aurangzeb faced prolonged resistance from the Maratha kingdom and conducted numerous military campaigns to suppress their power.

Mughal Traditions of Succession

Did not adhere to the Mughal and Timurid norm of coparcenary inheritance, which divided the property among all the sons, and did not believe in the rule of primogeniture, according to which the eldest son inherited his father's estate.

Mughal Relationships with other Rulers

Mughal emperors waged a never-ending struggle against kings who refused to recognize their power. However, as they grew in strength, many kings, including the Rajputs, freely joined them. Many Rajputs obtained great positions by marrying their daughters off to Mughal families. Many others also resisted. For instance, Mewar's Sisodiya Rajputs refused to recognize Mughal rule. However, the Mughals treated them honorably after their defeat and returned their lands (watan) to them as assignments (watan jagir). The Mughals were able to increase their influence over a large number of monarchs and chieftains because to their clever balancing act between humbling but not demeaning their adversaries. Nevertheless, maintaining this equilibrium constantly was challenging.

Mansabdars and Jagirdars

1.Mansabdars:

• The Mansabdars were nobles or officials in the Mughal administration who held a Mansab, which was a rank or position granted by the emperor.
• The Mansabdar system was introduced by Emperor Akbar as a way to organize and control the Mughal military and bureaucracy efficiently.
• Mansabdars were appointed based on their military skills, loyalty, and administrative capabilities.
• Each Mansabdar was assigned a rank called a "Zat" and a salary called a "Sawar" based on that rank. The Zat represented the number of horsemen the Mansabdar was expected to maintain for the Mughal army.
• Mansabdars were expected to provide military service to the empire, both in times of war and peace. They were responsible for maintaining and commanding troops, ensuring law and order, and collecting revenue from assigned territories.
• The Mansabdars received their salaries from revenue assignments called "Jagirs" or "Sawars" granted to them by the emperor.  

2. Jagirdars:

• Jagirdars were officials who held a Jagir, which was a land grant given by the emperor in exchange for their services.
• The Jagir system was a form of revenue assignment where a Jagirdar was given control over a specific territory or revenue collection area.
• Jagirdars collected revenue from the assigned lands, which they used to finance their administrative expenses and meet the requirements of their Mansab rank.
• The Jagirdars were responsible for maintaining law and order in their assigned territories, overseeing agricultural production, and ensuring revenue collection.
• The Jagirdars were expected to provide military support to the empire when required and contribute a portion of their revenue to the Mughal treasury.
• The Jagirdars could be both military and civil officers, and their Jagirs could be hereditary or non-hereditary, depending on the terms set by the emperor.

Zabt and Zamindars 

1. Zabt:

• Zabt refers to the system of revenue collection and assessment introduced by Emperor Akbar in the Mughal Empire.
• Under the Zabt system, the revenue assessment was based on an estimation of the agricultural productivity of a region.
• The revenue assessment was conducted by revenue officials who calculated the expected agricultural produce and fixed a revenue demand accordingly.
• The Zabt system aimed to establish a regular and predictable revenue collection mechanism, reducing the arbitrariness and corruption that existed in earlier systems.
• The revenue assessment was periodically reviewed and revised based on changes in agricultural productivity, land quality, and other factors.

2. Zamindars:

• Zamindars were the local landholders or intermediaries who were responsible for collecting and remitting the revenue to the Mughal administration.
• Zamindars were granted authority over a specific territory or a group of villages and held the rights to collect revenue from the land and its cultivators.
• They acted as intermediaries between the peasants or farmers who cultivated the land and the Mughal administration.
• Zamindars were typically members of the landed elite, often belonging to the nobility or aristocratic families.
• In exchange for their role as revenue collectors, the Zamindars were entitled to retain a portion of the revenue collected as their income or profit.
• The Zamindars had certain administrative and judicial powers within their territories and were responsible for maintaining law and order.

A Closer Look: Akbar’s Policies 

• The works of Akbar can be found in Abul Fazal's book Akbarnama.
• Akbar split his empire into subas, or regions, each headed by a subedar.
• The nobility of Akbar controlled sizable armies and had access to substantial wealth.
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• With the ulemas, Brahmanas, Jesuit priests who were Roman Catholics, and Zoroastrians, Akbar initiated a religious conversation while he was in Fatehpur Sikri.
• The ibadat khana is where the conversations took place.
• Akbar eventually came up with the concept of Sulh-i-kul, or world peace.
• This idea was also pursued by Shah Jahan and Jahangir.
• Akbar saw that religious experts who placed a strong emphasis on rituals and dogmas were frequently bigots.
• Akbar-nama, a three-volume history of Akbar's reign, was written by Abul Fazl, one of Akbar's allies and courtiers.

The Mughal Empire in the 17th Century and After

• The administrative and military efficiency of the Mughal Empire led to great economic and commercial prosperity.
• The Mughal emperors and their mansabdars spent a great deal of their income on salaries and goods.
• Mansabdars received their salaries as revenue assignments called jagirs.
• The main source of income to Mughal rule was the tax received on the produce of the peasantry.
• The wealthier peasantry and artisanal groups, the merchants and bankers profited in this economic world.
• Primary producers, however, lived in poverty.
• By the end of the 17th century, the authority of the Mughal Empire declined which gave rise to many independent provinces like Hyderabad and Awadh.