-
Apr 21, 1526
Battle of Panipat
The forces of Babur, a Central Asian ruler who was descended from the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan, defeat the Lodi Empire of Northern India. -
Jan 25, 1531
Baburs Death
leads to difficulties with his som Humaryuns succession -
Jan 25, 1540
Sher Shah Suri
the leader of the rival Sur dynasty, drives Humayun out of India and seizes power -
Jul 23, 1555
Humayun
takes advantage 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. -
Jan 27, 1556
Humayuns daily prayers
shortly after retaking power, Humayun stops for daily prayer in the middle of carrying books down a flight of stairs and trips. He is fatally injured and dies three days later. -
Nov 5, 1556
Mughal army defeats the Surs
under Bairam Khan, the Mughal army defeats the Surs and solidifies Akbar's control. -
Jan 31, 1561
Akbar strips Bairam Khan of the regency
nder the guidance of his mother and other supporters, Akbar strips Bairam Khan of the regency, and Khan is assassinated on a journey to Mecca. Akbar is now in full control of the empire. He is known for developing trade with Europe, developing a strong system of administration, and growing the economy. -
Jahangir
Though Jahangir, Akbar's oldest son, is the declared successor, he impatiently leads a revolt against his father -
Jahangir succeeds as emperor
Jahangir succeeds as emperor, thanks to the immense support of the harem women. His eldest son, Khusrau Mirza, unsuccessfully rebels against him. Jahangir kills all his son's supporters and blinds his son. -
Jahangirs dead
Jahangir dies on his way back from a visit to Kashmir and is succeeded by his third son, Shah Jahan. -
Taj Mahal
hah Jahan begins construction on the Taj Mahal in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. -
Aurangzeb
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, but his harsh religious conservatism undermines the stability of the empire -
Shah Alam
Aurangzeb's son, Shah Alam, tries to undo the disastrous policies of his father, but it is too little, too late. The empire descends into chaos and violent feuds after his death and starts to break up. -
British East India Company
has become the protector of the Mughal Empire, using it to solidify their claim on trade with India. Bahadur Shah Zafar, the final Mughal ruler, leads a revolt against them, although he is in reality little more than a figurehead. -
Jahans dead
Shah Jahan falls ill and his eldest son, Dara Shikoh, becomes regent for him.
