-
Feb 9, 1526
The first battle of Panipat
The beginning of the empire is conventionally dated to the victory by its founder Babur over Ibrahim Lodi, the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate -
Feb 9, 1530
Mughal Empire at Babur's death
At his death, he controlled all of northern India from the Indus River on the west to Bihar on the east and from the Himalayas south to Gwalior -
Feb 9, 1556
Empire under Humayun
After Babur died, his son Humayun took control of the empire from 1530-1556 but lost it to Afghan rebels and passed away. -
Abu Akbar
Humayun's son ruled the empire from 1556-1605, and made it his mission to retake teritory lost during Babur's rule. When his reign ended, the Mughal empire included most of northweatern and central india. He reigned with the utmost religous tolerance. -
Jahangir's rule of the empire
Under his rule from 1605-1627, the empire continued to prosper economically and in religous harmony. -
Brother rivalry
After jahangir's rule, Shahryar became emperor from 1627-1628, but was killed by his brother Shah Jahan. -
Shah Jahan
After he killed his brother, he ruled the empire from 1628-1658, and is known for his contributions to local architecture. His most famous structure is the Taj Mahal, which he built in honor of his wife. -
British takes control
The British took control of India in 1763, after defeating the French in the Seven Years’ War from 1756-1763.The Treaty of Paris stated the British controlled India through the British East India Company, which ruled with an iron hand. -
Other European countries also wanted India
The Dutch held the Dutch East Indies and extended their control over Indonesia, while the French took over Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam). The Russians also got involved and extended their control over the area of Persia (Iran). -
The Regulating Act
Created the office of governor general to exercise political authority over the territory controlled by the British East India Company. -
The India Act
Required that the governor general be chosen from outside the company, and it made company directors subject to parliamentary supervision. -
Rule under Warren Hastings: 1774-1785
One of the general governors of India who sought allies among Indian princes, laid the foundations for the first Indian civil service, abolished tolls to facilitate internal trade, placed the salt and opium trades under government control, etc. -
Rule under Lord Charles Cornwallis: 1786-1794
One of the general governors of India who introduced the British style of property relations, in effect converting a motley collection of former Mughal officers, tax collectors, and others into English-style landlords. -
Rule under Richard Wellesley: 1797-1805
One of the general governors of India who was victorious over local rulers who resisted British rule, vastly extending British influence in India. He believed British power should be established over the Indians in order "to deprive them of the means of prosecuting any measure or of forming any confederacy hazardous to the security of the British empire..." -
Indian rebellion
In 1857, an Indian revolt, led by native soldiers called sepoys, led to an uprising known as the Sepoy Mutiny. After suppressing the rebellion, the British government made India part of the empire in 1858, as mentioned previously. -
Creation of the Indian National Congress
Intensified the process by providing an important platform from which demands could be made for political liberalisation, increased autonomy, and social reform. The leaders of the Congress advocated dialogue and debate with the Raj administration to achieve their political goals. -
India: 1858-1914
