-
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. -
Jul 22, 1555
Humayn takes advantage of dealths
of the deaths of both Sher Shah Suri and his son and successor, 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. -
The Mughal Empire
-
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. -
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. -
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. -
Dara Shikoh
becomes regent for him. However, due to his liberal politics, his younger brother, Aurangzeb, allies with conservative Islamic factions to oppose him. -
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, thanks to the immense support of the harem women. His eldest son, Khusrau Mirza, unsuccessfully rebels against him Jahangir
Jahangir succeeds as emperor, thanks to the immense support of the harem women. His eldest son, Khusrau Mirza, unsuccessfully rebels against him -
Jahangir dies
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 in 1658, and his eldest son, Dara Shikoh, becomes regent for him. -
Aurangzeb defeats Dara Shikoh
and has him executed. 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
