Ruler No. 1. Babur:
All current historians see Babur as a very reputable figure in history. V.A. Smith went on to say- “Babur was the most brilliant Asiatic prince of the age, and worthy of a high place among the sovereigns of any age or country.” Havel called him “the most attractive figure in the history of Islam,” and Erskine agreed, saying, “We shall probably find no Asiatic prince who can justly be placed beside him.”
Babur’s character and demeanour undoubtedly merit all of this praise. However, Babur could not have earned his proper position in history if he had failed to conquer a substantial portion of northern India. He did not do well in Asian politics, and his conquest of Afghanistan was not spectacular. Only his triumph in India gave him the status of an important king.
Babur fought and won three significant battles in India, including Panipat, Khanua, and Ghaghara. He therefore succeeded in building the groundwork for Mughal authority in India. Of course, Babur failed to offer stability to his kingdom and to transform it into an all-India dominion.
However, by weakening the dominance of the Afghans and Rajputs, he set the groundwork for an empire that neither the Rajputs nor the Afghans had been able to build in over 150 years. Many believe that Akbar was the true creator of the Mughal Empire.
Of course, Akbar reestablished the Mughul kingdom, expanded and reinforced it, and gave it a solid foundation via methodical management. As a result, he has been properly considered as the greatest Mughal king. However, Babur is the only founding emperor of the Mughal dynasty. He conquered most of northern India, established Delhi his capital, and shattered the Afghan and Rajput power bases.
Dr. S.R. Sharma likened Babur to Henry VII of England. Both established dynastic authority in their own nations and had to contend with legitimate or illegitimate heirs to ousted previous families.
He put it this way: “In 1526, Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur, by his victory over Ibrahim Lodi in the first battle of Panipat, ushered in a new era in India and a new dynasty on the throne of Delhi, as Henry VII had done in England after his triumph on the pitch of Bosworth only forty years earlier (1485).”
Dr. R.P. Tripathi has given Babur even more credit from a different perspective. He credits him with initiating a more liberal stance towards Rajputs in particular, and Hindus in general.
He argues, “Babur had not only established the path to establish a new empire, but also the character and policies that would rule it. He established a dynasty and culture in India that has few parallels in the history of any other nation.”
Babur is well-known throughout history as a learned ruler. His works, notably his autobiography, are among the greatest in the world produced by monarchs. Even if Babur did not succeed in building an empire in India, he would most likely be recognised for his intellectual publications, notably his autobiography.
Ruler No. 2. Humayun:
Humayun has various intellectual and emotional traits. He had a high level of education and culture. He was well-versed in Turkish and Persian. He was also interested in the study of geography, mathematics, astronomy, and Muslim religion. He was an obedient son, a lovely spouse, a kind parent, and a caring relative.
He was extraordinarily kind to his nobility and warriors, sharing both his victories and misfortunes. He was kind to everyone he came into touch with. He was extremely religious yet not bigoted. He signed a deal with the Shah of Persia, agreeing to spread the Shia faith among his people in order to fulfil his political goals. His wife, Hamida Banu Begum, and his top advisor, Bairam Khan, were Shias.
Of course, he demolished Hindu temples during conflicts, but in times of peace, he took no action against Hindus. He supported all academics without regard for religion or ethnicity, and as a result, his court became a hub of scholarship and culture. Humayun was really generous and nice. The water bearer who rescued his life from drowning in the Ganges after the Battle of Chausa was elevated to Delhi’s throne for a day.
Humayun pardoned his siblings, relatives, and nobility who rebelled against him many times. Humayun was physically strong, hardy, and capable of doing rigorous duty. He was a bold and talented soldier who was prepared to confront any challenge in his life. He took part in every major war of his life and endangered his life several times. As a person, Humayun’s character was commendable and wonderful.
However, Humayun had flaws as both a man and a ruler. He was well-educated and had learned numerous things, yet he commanded none. His language and writings were likewise ineffective. His compassion and charity lacked practicality. As a result, his siblings and relatives took advantage of the situation and attempted to rebel against him multiple times. This is why Humayun failed as a ruler.
Lane-Poole has observed:
“His personality captivates but never dominates. In private, he may have been a lovely company and a devoted friend; his qualities were Christian, and his whole life was that of a gentleman. But as a king, he was a failure.
Humayun also lacked the characteristics of an effective military leader and organiser. The Mughul army that had won the battles of Panipat and Khanua and captured Gujarat and Malwa for him at the start of his reign was easily beaten by Sher Shah in the battles of Chausa and Kannauj.
Certainly, one of the key causes of these failures was Humayun’s ineffective leadership. Humayun was also not a good judge of people and situations. He failed to comprehend Sher Shah’s diplomatic manoeuvre in time. He also failed to elicit allegiance from his brothers. This is why the Mughals failed against the Afghans. Humayun was also ineffective as an administrator.
He failed to effectively manage the regions of Gujarat, Malwa, and Bengal after their annexation. He did little to boost his empire’s finances and made no administrative changes to the apparatus established by Babur.
That was also one of the reasons why he failed against Sher Shah. Malleson once said, “Brave, genial, witty, a charming companion, highly educated, generous and merciful, Humayun was less qualified than his father to found a dynasty on principles which should endure.”
Nonetheless, Humayun maintained a strong will. His setbacks did not break his spirit. He invaded Afghanistan with little support from the Shah of Persia and eventually grabbed his Indian kingdom from the Afghans at the first chance.
Dr. S. Roy has properly stated:
“Despite his flaws and shortcomings, Humayun has a crucial position in Indian history that is probably not always fully acknowledged. The well-timed restoration of Mughul authority was a true success that opened the way for Akbar’s glorious empire, while Indo-Persian interaction, which he fostered and promoted, was a far-reaching influence in the history of Indian culture.”
Ruler No. 3. Sher Shah:
According to E.B. Havell, “Sher Shah demonstrated brilliant capacity as an organiser, both in military and civil affairs.” Similarly, William Erskine said, “Sher Shah had more of the spirit of the legislator and guardian of his people than any prince before Akbar.”
As a result, the majority of contemporary historians appreciate Sher Shah’s administrative abilities. However, Dr Kalka Ranjan Qanungo’s 20th-century study is credited for restoring Sher Shah’s due position in history. Dr. Qanungo has referred to Sher Shah as “the greatest administrative and military genius among the Afghans.”
He claims that Sher Shah was a more creative genius and nation-builder than even Akbar the Great. Sir Woolseley Haig has also said, “He was in fact one of the greatest kings who ever sat on the throne of Delhi. From Akbar until Aurangzeb, no other king had as deep understanding of administrative matters or the ability to handle public business so minutely and successfully as he did.”
Thus, most historians have commended Sher Shah as an administrator, and substantial study into his administration has been conducted even after Dr Qanungo’s work. Dr. Parmatma Saran and Dr. Ram Prasad Tripathi, two contemporary historians, have said that “Sher Shah was a good administrator but he was not an innovator.” The bulk of current historians now agree with this assessment.
Of sure, Sher Shah was one of the greatest managers among mediaeval Indian monarchs, but he did not introduce any new administrative practices. His tax management was not wholly original, and his military reforms were modelled on those implemented by Ala-ud-din Khalji. Sher Shah learned from the experiences of others.
He modified the various measures adopted by his predecessors so that they seemed to be fresh inventions. Furthermore, he executed them with such mastery that all of his administrative initiatives succeeded in bringing order, peace, power, and prosperity to both the state and its people. That alone qualifies him as one of the most effective managers among mediaeval Indian monarchs.
Ruler Number 4. Akbar:
Akbar was the greatest of the Mughal Emperors, one of India’s greatest rulers, and one of the world’s most renowned and powerful monarchs. All contemporaneous and modern historians have recognised him as one of India’s greatest kings. Lane-Poole called him “the noblest king that ever ruled in India” and the “true founder and organiser of the empire.”
He also said that his period “represents the golden age of the empire.” V.A. Smith, who has often criticised him, writes, “He was a born king of men, with a rightful claim to be one of the mightiest sovereigns known to history.” That assertion is unquestionably based on his outstanding natural abilities, creative ideas, and amazing results.”
Akbar had a handsome and commanding presence. He was a devoted son, a loving spouse, and a kind parent. He admired and adored everyone of his friends and family. He mourned deeply at the loss of his companion, Abul Fazl, and went two days without sustenance. He had many compassionate traits, thus he saw the wellbeing of his people as one of his key obligations, and he was especially sympathetic to the impoverished and weaker parts of society.
Despite his average height, he had a powerful, well-maintained body. He was not educated, yet he admired and supported intellectuals. He built a library with 24,000 manuscripts for about Rs 65 lacs. He enjoyed sports and hunting. He was an adept with all weapons, a great shooter, and a strong rider.
He was capable of hard work and was very brave in the face of adversity, even risking his life in combat. He had complete confidence in God yet was tolerant of all faiths. In terms of religion, he pioneered a new policy. Akbar was illiterate, but through his interactions with intellectuals from other areas, he gained valuable knowledge in philosophy, theology, literature, history, and so on.
He justified it by introducing several improvements to religion, civic and military administration, and effectively applying them. Akbar has a keen memory and recalled things swiftly. He did, of course, use intoxicants such as alcohol and opium, but he was not an addict, and as he got older, he exercised more discipline and avoided or limited his meat consumption.
Akbar, like all other monarchs of his era, had a large number of wives, with almost 5,000 women in his harem, many of them were concubines. Nonetheless, he was not a debauch. The tales about holding Meena Bazar to discover and capture attractive ladies, as well as Akbar’s effort to disgrace the wife of Bikaner’s Prithvi Raj Rathore, seem to be fake fables.
It’s likely that Akbar indulged in similar folly when he was younger, but as he got older, he became more responsible and moderate. As a result, we see incidents of brutality and violence throughout his early reign but none thereafter.
Akbar was a courageous soldier and an effective leader. He shown his bravery and commitment in several engagements. He personally led and successfully completed several campaigns. During his reign, the Mughal army became more mobile.
His attempt to put down the insurrection in Gujarat is described as a ‘historic war.’ He enhanced the combat tactics, weaponry, and organisation of the Mughul army, making it unstoppable throughout his reign. His rule was marked by several successful military wars and imperial expansions.
Akbar shown his ability to innovate in a variety of administrative sectors. Furthermore, he had the practical acumen required to properly apply these advances. The government he founded lasted well through the reigns of his strong heirs and required no changes in fundamentals.
His successors took on and continued the tasks and responsibilities of the emperor, the central and provincial government, the tax system, currency, the mansabdari system, and so on that he outlined and created. Akbar established the administration that was generally implemented across the Mughal empire’s domains, and he treated all of his people equally.
As a king and politician, Akbar’s religious and Rajput policies were not only new but also tremendously effective. These offered a solid foundation and a fresh direction for the Mughul empire, contributing significantly to its strength and splendour.
Akbar also strove to instill a consistent culture among his subjects. The methods he used to encourage literary and artistic development among his people resulted in a unified Indian style across several domains and aided the advancement of literature and the arts.
Thus, Akbar’s temperament and personality were those of a mighty emperor. He was successful both as a person and as Emperor. Others were inspired by his life and aspirations as a ruler, conqueror, administrator, politician, and king. That is why Akbar has been recognised as ‘the great’ among the Mughul monarchs.
Ruler No. 5. Jahangir:
Akbar lost all of his little children. Shaikh Salim Chisti of Fatehpur Sikri’s wife, the Princess of Jaipur, Maryam-uz-Zamani, gave birth to Prince Muhammad Salim in 1569 A.D., after numerous prayers and blessings. Salim was raised with exceptional care and compassion and under the tutelage of famous professors, one of whom was the great scholar of his day, Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khana. Salim had several wives.
His first wife was Man Bai, the daughter of Raja Bhagwan Das of Jaipur and the sister of Raja Man Singh. She became the mother of Prince Khusrav, Salim’s oldest son. His second wife was Jagat Gosai (Jodha Bai), Raja Udaya Singh’s daughter. She gave birth to Prince Khurram (the future Emperor Shah Jahan).
Salim’s third son, Parwez, was born to Begum Sahib-i-Jamal, while his fourth son, Saharyar, was the son of one of his concubines. However, his renowned queen was Nur Jahan, whom he married long later as Emperor. Salim became a spoiled youngster as a result of his parents’ intense affection for him, and as he got older, he developed an interest in wine and women.
He attempted to become an independent king during Akbar’s latter reign, but was unsuccessful, and the father and son reconciled. Murad and Daniyal, Akbar’s other two sons, perished before their father. As a result, while on his deathbed, Akbar selected Salim to succeed him.
The coronation of Salim occurred on November 3, 1605 A.D. He took the title of Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir Badshah Gazi. Jahangir gave prominent appointments to nobles who were loyal to him, one of which was Raja Bir Singh Bundela, who had murdered Abul Fazl. True to his father’s traditions, Jahangir started his reign by enacting several liberal legislation that benefitted his citizens.
He had a large bell installed at Shah Burz in the fort of Agra, and its golden chain was placed in the open on the banks of the Yamuna River. Ringing the bell allowed anybody to beseech the emperor for justice at any moment. It is unclear how much use the ordinary people made of the bell, but it did provide insight into Emperor Jahangir’s sense of justice.
Ruler No. 6. Shah Jahan:
Shah Jahan’s almost thirty years of leadership represented the Mughul empire’s pinnacle of power and wealth, earning it the title of golden era. Akbar established the Mughal political authority in India. Shah Jahan expanded the Mughal empire’s political borders.
Of fact, the Mughul empire had its most expansive boundaries under Aurangzeb’s reign, but he did not keep them for long. The revolts that happened during his rule depleted the empire’s vigour, eventually leading to its collapse. However, nothing like this occurred under Shah Jahan’s rule.
Until Shah Jahan became sick, resulting in a struggle of succession among his sons, no force could successfully threaten the Mughal empire. During his rule, the empire was prosperous and peaceful. Of course, not everything remained as it seemed. During his rule, the Mughal empire undoubtedly had certain flaws.
The extravagant expenditure on the grandeur of the court and the construction of great structures, the commencement of the policy of religious intolerance, and the terrible succession battle waged by his sons among themselves all had a negative impact on the empire’s finances. However, Shah Jahan’s reign was the most brilliant phase of the Mughal empire.
Prince Khurram, who later received the title of Shah Jahan, was born on January 5, 1592 A.D. At Lahore. His mother, Jagat Gosai (Jodha Bai or Bhanmati), was the daughter of Udaya Singh, the king of Marwar. Khurram was his grandfather Akbar’s favourite child, and Jahangir viewed him as his heir to the throne after the insurrection of his older son, Khusrav.
As a result, he was allocated crucial positions from the outset. When Khusrav rebelled, Khurram was tasked with administering the capital. In 1606 A.D., he received the rank of 5,000 sawar and 8,000 zat. He married Arjumand Banu Begum, the daughter of Asaf Khan, in 1612 A.D. He effectively took part in military engagements against Mewar, Kangra, and the Deccan.
He was given the title Shah Jahan after his victorious campaign in the Deccan. He remained a member of the Nur Jahan Junta until 1622 AD. The Emperor bestowed upon them the highest positions, honours, and Jagirs. But after that, he lost popularity with the Queen. Nur Jahan began supporting her son-in-law, Shahryar, which caused complications for Shah Jahan. He rebelled in 1623 A.D. but did not succeed, and accepted all of Jahangir’s terms.
Jahangir died when Shah Jahan was in the Deccan. At the time, he was well-supported by his father-in-law, Asaf Khan, the empire’s vakil. Khuwaja Abul Hasan, the Diwan of the empire, was also on his side.
In truth, they were the ones most responsible for his accession to the throne. They rescued prince Dara Shukoh, Shuja, and Aurangzeb from Nur Jahan’s imprisonment, proclaimed Dawar Baksh, son of prince Khusrav, emperor, and ordered Shah Jahan to travel to the city immediately.
Nur Jahan didn’t take any action against Asaf Khan. Her son-in-law, Shahryar, proclaimed himself emperor in Lahore. However, he was an inept guy. Asaf Khan fought and beat him. He was blinded. Shah Jahan, who was hurrying to Agra, issued a message to Asaf Khan to assassinate Shahryar and the other princes of the royal family.
Asaf Khan carried out his instructions, and all royal princes who may claim the throne were assassinated before Shah Jahan arrived in Agra. Shah Jahan proclaimed himself emperor on February 24, 1628 A.D. in Agra and took on the title of Abul Muzaffar Sahab-ud-din Muhammad Sahib Kiran-i-Sani.
Asaf Khan was awarded the mansab of 8,000 zat and 8,000 sawar and was made the empire’s vazir. Mahabat Khan was granted the title of Khan-i-Khana, and his mansab was increased to 7,000 zat and 7,000 sawar. Begum Nur Jahan was awarded a pension of Rs. 2 lakh per year. She lived out her last years calmly at Lahore, where she died in 1645 A.D.
Ruler No. 7. Aurangzeb:
As a prince, Aurangzeb had shown his ability to command and administer effectively. He was undoubtedly a more accomplished military strategist and practical politician than his brothers who competed for the crown. His triumph in the succession fight was that of the most competent prince, and when he proclaimed himself Emperor, the Mughul empire was led by the most powerful and capable person in the empire.
He governed for an extended length of time, allowing the empire to benefit from his finest qualities. Aurangzeb was undoubtedly a magnificent monarch. Under his leadership, the empire reached its pinnacle of power. However, Aurangzeb finally failed. During his reign, the empire gradually disintegrated. Thus, his success and failure were both extraordinary.
Muhi-ud-din Muhammad Aurangzeb was born on November 3, 1618 AD. at Dohad, near Ujjain. Dara and Aurangzeb were held as prisoners by Nur Jahan after Shah Jahan’s unsuccessful insurrection against his father. They got free only after Jahangir’s death. Aurangzeb had the greatest and most diverse education. He grew skilled in handling weapons and combat methods.
In addition to studying Islamic holy materials, he learned Arabic, Persian, Turki, and Hindi. His first military expedition as a prince was against Jujhar Singh of Bundelkhand, which he won. Aurangzeb was governor of the Deccan twice, once in Gujarat, and led the forces in battles against Central Asia and Kandhar.
As a result, he got extensive administrative and military experience as a prince. Then, after conquering his siblings and imprisoning his father Shah Jahan, he seized the throne and crowned himself Emperor on July 31, 1658 A.D. He took the title of ‘Abdul Muzaffar Muhi-ud-din Muhammad Aurangzeb Bahadur Alamgir Padshah Gazi.’
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