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Apr 21, 1526
Battle of Panipat
on April 21, 1526, marks the beginning of the Mughal Empire. The forces of Babur, a Central Asian ruler who was descended from the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan, defeat the Lodi Empire of Northern India. This is one of the earliest battles to involve gunpowder, firearms, and field artillery. -
Dec 26, 1530
Babur's death
in 1530 leads to difficulties with his son Humayun's succession. Some of the nobles instead try to install Humayun's uncle, Mahdi Khwaja, and, though they are defeated, it signals Humayun's weakness. Humayun gains the throne in 1531. -
May 22, 1540
Sher Shah Suri
the leader of the rival Sur dynasty, drives Humayun out of India and seizes power in 1540. Humayun takes refuge with the Safavid rulers in Persia, which serves to create a strong bond with the two dynasties. -
Jul 23, 1555
Humayun takes advantage of the deaths
Islam Shah, to march an army provided by his Persian allies back to India. He puts the army under the leadership of Bairam Khan, who proves himself a much more skilled tactician. He retakes Delhi for Humayun and restores the Mughals to power. -
Nov 5, 1556
Humayun's son, Akbar
succeeds him under a regent, Bairam Khan, the general who had won victory for his father. The rival Sur Dynasty once again attempts to seize power. On November 5, 1556, under Bairam Khan, the Mughal army defeats the Surs and solidifies Akbar's control. -
Jahangir
Akbar's oldest son, is the declared successor, he impatiently leads a revolt against his father in 1599 while Akbar is occupied in a foreign military campaign. -
Jahangir succeeds as emperor
Jahangir succeeds as emperor, thanks to the immense support of the harem women.Jahangir kills all his son's supporters and blinds his son. During his rule, Jahangir is addicted to opium and alcohol and so neglects his role as ruler, allowing him to be manipulated by rival factions. -
Jahangir death
Jahangir dies on his way back from a visit to Kashmir and is succeeded by his third son, Shah Jahan. -
Shah Jahan begins construction
The white marble mausoleum is recognized by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture. -
Shah Jahan falls ill
Dara Shikoh, becomes regent for him. However, due to his liberal politics, his younger brother, Aurangzeb, allies with conservative Islamic factions to oppose him. -
Aurangzeb defeats Dara Shikoh
Though Shah Jahan has recovered by this point, Aurangzeb declares him unfit for rule and has him imprisoned. Aurangzeb goes on to expand the empire, but his harsh religious conservatism undermines the stability of the empire.
