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Apr 21, 1526
The Battle of Panipat
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. Babur's rule is marked by ongoing wars of aggression, which prevent him from stabilizing his empire. -
Dec 26, 1530
Babur's Death
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. -
Jan 25, 1531
Humayun gains the throne
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 of both Sher Shah Suri and his son and successor
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. -
Jan 27, 1556
Humayun's Death
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. -
Jan 31, 1556
Akbar strips Bairam Khan of the regency
Khan is assassinated on a journey to Mecca -
Nov 5, 1556
Bairam Khan is ruler
under Bairam Khan, the Mughal army defeats the Surs and solidifies Akbar's control. -
Jahangir, Akbar's oldest son 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.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
dies on his way back from a visit to Kashmir -
Shah Jahan begins construction on the Taj Mahal
in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. 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. -
Aurangzeb defeats Dara Shikoh
Aurangzeb had Dara Shikoh executed. Aurangzeb goes on to expand the empire, but his harsh religious conservatism undermines the stability of the empire. This marks the beginning of the decline of the Mughal's power. -
Aurangzeb's son, Shah Alam, succeeds him
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 -
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the final Mughal ruler
leads a revolt against the British East India Company.The revolt is defeated and the Mughals deposed by the East India Company, which assumes formal control over the country and ends the Mughal Empire.
