CUET PG History Unit 9 Notes: Mughal Empire Expansion from Babur to Aurangzeb

The expansion of the Mughal Empire can be difficult to revise because major rulers, battles, territorial conquests, administrative systems and political policies span different periods. Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb each contributed to the growth of the empire in different ways, making it important to remember their major developments in the correct sequence.

A clear chronology makes these developments easier to connect and revise. From Babur’s establishment of Mughal rule to Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, the empire expanded through military campaigns, political alliances, administrative reforms and revenue arrangements. The key rulers, events and terms are covered below for CUET PG History preparation.

Mughal Emperors Chronology: Babur to Aurangzeb

The following chronology highlights the reign periods of the major Mughal emperors and the key developments associated with each ruler.

Babur and Humayun: Foundation, Loss and Restoration

Babur established Mughal rule in India, while Humayun faced major setbacks under Sher Shah Suri before returning from exile and restoring Mughal authority.

Babur: Foundation of Mughal Rule

Babur is regarded as the founder of Mughal rule in India. His victory in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 established Mughal authority in northern India. However, the empire was not yet firmly consolidated when Babur died in 1530.

Humayun: Political Career and Restoration

Humayun’s reign was marked by internal rivalries, defeats against Sher Shah Suri and years of exile before he regained control of the Mughal Empire. The key events below trace his loss of power and eventual restoration.

• Accession (1530): Humayun succeeded Babur and inherited an empire facing internal and external challenges.

• Internal challenges: His brothers Kamran, Askari and Hindal contested his authority.

• External rivals: Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and Sher Shah Suri challenged Mughal power.

• Siege of Chunar (1532): Humayun defeated Sher Khan but failed to eliminate the Afghan threat.

• Battle of Chausa (1539): Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun.

• Battle of Kannauj (1540): Sher Shah defeated Humayun again, forcing him into exile.

• Exile: Humayun spent approximately 15 years away from India.

• Recovery of Kabul and Kandahar (1545): With Safavid assistance, he recovered these territories from Kamran.

• Restoration (1555): Humayun returned to India as the Suri dynasty weakened and restored Mughal authority after the Battle of Sirhind.

• Death (1556): He recovered Delhi and Agra but died shortly afterwards.

Akbar: Accession and Territorial Expansion

Akbar strengthened Mughal rule through military victories, the defeat of regional rivals and the incorporation of conquered territories. His early reign focused on securing the throne, while subsequent campaigns extended Mughal control over Malwa, Gondwana, Gujarat and Bengal.

Accession and the Second Battle of Panipat

• Birth: Akbar was born in 1542 to Humayun and Hamida Banu Begum while Humayun was in exile.

• Accession (1556): Akbar was crowned at Kalanaur in Punjab.

• Bairam Khan as regent: He managed imperial affairs during Akbar’s early reign.

• Second Battle of Panipat (1556):

• Hemu had captured Agra and Delhi before the battle.

• Mughal forces led by Bairam Khan fought Hemu.

• Hemu was struck by an arrow in the eye and became unconscious, causing disorder in his army.

• The Mughal victory strengthened imperial authority, although Afghan resistance continued.

• Dismissal of Bairam Khan (c. 1560): Akbar began exercising direct authority.

• Bairam Khan’s death (1561): After a brief rebellion, he was pardoned and allowed to proceed to Mecca. He was later killed in Gujarat.

Akbar’s First Phase of Expansion

Akbar extended Mughal control through campaigns against regional rulers and Afghan powers. The following table summarises the major conquests and their significance.

Akbar's Administrative System

Akbar's territorial expansion required an administrative system capable of managing different provinces, officials and revenue arrangements. Major reforms were introduced during his reign, particularly around 1580.

Central Administration

Raja Todar Mal is closely associated with the development of Mughal revenue administration.

Provincial Administration

The empire was divided into subas, with officials such as the Diwan, Bakshi, Sadr and Qazi. Waqia-navis acted as a reporting officer.

The administrative hierarchy was: Suba → Sarkar → Pargana → Village/Mauza

The Faujdar maintained law and order, while the Amalguzar was responsible for land-revenue assessment and collection.

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Akbar’s Land Revenue System

Land revenue was a major source of income for the Mughal Empire, supporting the army and administration. Akbar introduced and refined revenue assessment methods based on land measurement, agricultural productivity and produce prices.

Major Revenue Assessment Systems

1. Karori Experiment (1574–75)

• Purpose: Improve land revenue assessment and collection.

• Karoris: Officials responsible for collecting revenue, with a target of one crore dams, not rupees.

• Kanungos: Provided information about agricultural production and prices.

• Reasons for failure: Concealment of information, corruption and excessive pressure on peasants.

2. Zabti and Dahsala Systems

Other Revenue Collection Methods

These methods determined how the state assessed or collected revenue from agricultural produce.

Land Classification Under Akbar

Land was classified according to how long it remained under cultivation.

• Concessions: Chachar and Banjar land could receive concessions to encourage cultivation.

• Takavi loans: The state provided loans for seeds, equipment and cattle to support agricultural activity.

Mansabdari and Jagirdari Systems

The Mughal Empire used the mansabdari system to organise civil and military service and the jagirdari system to assign revenue for official compensation. Zamindars also played an important role in collecting land revenue.

Mansabdari System

• Mansab: Numerical rank assigned to an official.

• Zat: Determined the mansabdar’s personal status, rank and salary.

• Sawar: Indicated the number of cavalrymen the mansabdar was expected to maintain.

• Chehra: Recorded soldiers’ identities or descriptions.

• Dagh: Horse-branding system used to prevent fraud.

• Inspection: Mansabdars and their military arrangements were subject to inspection.

• Rank range: Ranks generally ranged from 10 to 5,000, with higher ranks available in special cases.

Jagirdari System

• Jagir: Revenue assignment used to compensate mansabdars; it was not normally hereditary property.

• Types of jagirs:

• Tankha Jagir: Transferable assignment given as salary.

• Watan Jagir: Generally hereditary and particularly associated with Rajput rulers.

• Mashrut Jagir: Conditional assignment linked to specific services.

• Altamgha Jagir: Special form associated with certain Muslim nobles.

• Important revenue terms:

• Jama: Anticipated revenue.

• Hasil: Actual revenue collected.

• Financial difficulty: A difference between jama and hasil could create difficulties for mansabdars.

Zamindars

• Hereditary rights: Zamindars held rights passed down through generations.

• Revenue collection: Collected land revenue from peasants and retained a portion.

• Military role: Could maintain local armed forces and provide military services.

• Land ownership: They were not absolute owners of all land within their jurisdictions.

Akbar’s Rajput and Religious Policies

Akbar’s Rajput and religious policies helped strengthen Mughal authority through political alliances, accommodation and a broader approach to religious relations.

Rajput Policy

• Alliance and accommodation: Akbar generally allowed Rajput rulers who accepted Mughal suzerainty to retain local authority and watan jagirs.

• High mansabs: Cooperative Rajput rulers received important positions in the Mughal administration.

• Raja Bharmal of Amber: Accepted Mughal authority and entered into a marriage alliance with Akbar’s family.

• Bhagwan Das: Received a mansab of 5,000.

• Raja Man Singh: Received a mansab of 7,000.

Mewar and Marwar

• Resistance by Rana Pratap: Akbar sent Man Singh, Bhagwan Das and Todar Mal to seek Rana Pratap’s submission.

• Battle of Haldighati (1576): Mughal forces led by Man Singh defeated Rana Pratap’s forces.

• Continued resistance: Rana Pratap did not personally submit to Akbar and continued fighting through guerrilla warfare.

• Capital at Chawand: Rana Pratap later established his capital at Chawand.

• Mewar settlement (1615): Mewar reached a formal settlement with the Mughal Empire under Jahangir.

Religious Policy

• Abolition of pilgrim tax (1563): Akbar abolished the tax imposed on pilgrims.

• Abolition of jizya (1564): He removed the tax imposed on non-Muslims.

• Prisoners of war: Forced conversion to Islam was stopped.

• Sulh-i-Kul: The principle of universal peace became associated with Akbar’s religious outlook.

• Ibadatkhana (1575): Established at Fatehpur Sikri for religious discussions and debates.

• Tauhid-i-Ilahi (Din-i-Ilahi): A spiritual order, not a conventional organised religion. It had no sacred scripture, priesthood or compulsory mass membership.

Jahangir: Succession, Expansion and Foreign Relations

Jahangir’s reign involved succession disputes, campaigns against regional powers and growing European trading interests. The table below summarises the major developments during his rule.

Succession and Administration

Bengal and the Deccan

Mewar Settlement and European Relations

Shah Jahan: Deccan Policy and Succession Crisis

Shah Jahan’s reign saw further Mughal expansion in the Deccan, major architectural achievements and a succession struggle that brought Aurangzeb to power.

Territorial Expansion and Policies

Religious Policy

• General outlook: More conservative than Akbar and Jahangir, though not uniformly intolerant.

• Pilgrim tax: Imposed and later withdrawn.

• Religious buildings: Some temples and churches were demolished during particular phases.

• Royal patronage: Hindu scholars and artists continued to receive support.

Architecture and Culture

Shah Jahan’s reign is associated with a high point of Mughal architecture.

War of Succession (1657–1658)

• Principal contenders: Dara Shikoh, Shuja, Aurangzeb and Murad.

• Trigger: Shah Jahan’s illness in 1657 led to a struggle for the throne.

• Aurangzeb and Murad: Formed an alliance during the conflict.

• Battle of Dharmat: Jaswant Singh’s forces were defeated.

• Battle of Samugarh: Dara Shikoh was defeated by Aurangzeb.

• Fate of the princes:

• Dara Shikoh: Captured and executed.

• Murad: Imprisoned and eventually killed.

• Shuja: Fled east and eventually died in Arakan.

• Shah Jahan: Imprisoned by Aurangzeb in Agra Fort.

• Aurangzeb’s accession (1658): Took the throne and adopted the title Alamgir.

Key takeaway: Shah Jahan’s reign combined Deccan expansion and architectural achievements with a succession crisis that ended his rule and brought Aurangzeb to power.

Expansion of the Mughal Empire Notes PDF 

Use the revision sheets below to review key themes of Mughal expansion, administration, revenue systems and major political developments.

Why Choose PW Mughal Empire Notes for CUET PG History?

PW Mughal Empire Notes can help you revise the expansion, administration, revenue systems and political developments of the Mughal Empire from Babur to Aurangzeb. Combine topic-wise revision with other CUET PG History resources to practise questions and review important concepts.

• Mughal Empire Expansion: Revise major rulers, battles and territorial conquests, from Babur’s victory at Panipat to Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaigns, using the CUET PG History Course for broader syllabus coverage.

• Important Battles and Rulers: Practise questions on the Battles of Panipat, Chausa, Kannauj, Haldighati and Samugarh through CUET PG History Previous Year Papers.

• Mughal Administration and Revenue: Revise the mansabdari and jagirdari systems, Zat and Sawar ranks, and Akbar’s land revenue methods. Use the CUET PG Test Series to assess your preparation.

• Ruler-Wise Revision: Compare the policies of Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb to identify major differences in administration, religious policy and territorial expansion.

• Exam Preparation: Review the CUET PG History Exam Overview for examination details and syllabus information while planning your revision.

From Babur’s establishment of Mughal rule in 1526 to Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, the empire experienced significant territorial and political changes. Akbar strengthened imperial control through conquests, administrative reforms, revenue arrangements and alliances, while later rulers expanded Mughal territories. However, prolonged Deccan campaigns, Maratha resistance and financial pressures challenged imperial stability.