04. The Mughals 16th TO 17th CENTURY Class 7 chapter 4 History NCERT Notes for CBSE and UPSC

Welcome to The Mughals (16th TO 17th CENTURY) Class 7 chapter 4 History CBSE and UPSC.

Chapter Title: The Mughals (16th TO 17th CENTURY)

Introduction:

1. The Mughals ruled over a vast and culturally diverse territory encompassing the Indian subcontinent.
2. Managing such a vast and diverse empire during the Middle Ages was a formidable challenge.
3. Unlike their predecessors, the Mughals successfully built an empire that endured for a significant period.
4. Their expansion from the late 16th century onwards had a profound and lasting impact on the subcontinent.

Mughals’ Territorial Expansion:

1. The Mughals’ territorial reach expanded significantly over time.
2. They initially ruled from Agra and Delhi, but their dominion expanded, and by the 17th century, they controlled nearly the entire subcontinent.
3. This expansion marked a departure from earlier rulers who struggled to maintain control over vast regions.

Administrative Structures and Governance:

1. The Mughals introduced a well-organized administrative system.
2. This system had a lasting influence, with its structures and ideas continuing beyond the Mughal era.
3. Today, the Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from the Red Fort in Delhi, once a residence of the Mughal emperors.

Who were the Mughals?

1. The Mughals traced their lineage to two illustrious lineages: Genghis Khan and Timur.
2. From their mother’s side, they had Mongol ancestry, while from their father’s side, they were Timurid descendants.
3. The Mughals took pride in their Timurid heritage due to Timur’s capture of Delhi in 1398.
4. They celebrated their Timurid ancestry pictorially, often having portraits made that depicted Timur and themselves.

Mughal Military Campaigns:

1. Babur, the first Mughal emperor, ascended to the throne at the age of 12 and faced early challenges.
2. His initial rule in Ferghana was short-lived as he was forced to flee due to the invasion of the Uzbegs.
3. After years of wandering, he eventually seized Kabul in 1504.
4. In 1526, Babur scored a decisive victory against the Sultan of Delhi, Ibrahim Lodi, at the First Battle of Panipat, capturing Delhi and Agra.

Mughal Traditions of Succession:

1. The Mughals departed from the norm of primogeniture, where the eldest son inherits.
2. Instead, they followed the custom of coparcenary inheritance, where all sons shared the inheritance equally.

Mughal Relations with Other Rulers:

1. The Mughal emperors engaged in constant military campaigns against rulers who resisted their authority.
2. As the Mughals consolidated power, many other rulers willingly allied with them.
3. The Rajputs provide a notable example, with many of them forming matrimonial alliances with Mughal families and receiving prestigious positions.
4. However, some rulers resisted Mughal authority, resulting in conflicts.

Mughal Marriages with the Rajputs:

1. The Mughals cemented political alliances through marriage with Rajput rulers.
2. Notable marriages included Jahangir’s mother, a Kachhwaha princess, and Shah Jahan’s mother, a Rathor princess.

Mansabdars and Jagirdars:

1. The Mughals recruited individuals from diverse backgrounds as their empire expanded.
2. Those who entered Mughal service received positions called “mansabs.”
3. A mansab included a rank, salary, and military responsibilities.
4. The rank and salary were determined by a numerical value known as “zat.”
5. Each mansabdar was required to maintain a specific number of cavalrymen, referred to as “sawar,” and received funds to pay their salaries.
6. These salaries were provided as revenue assignments called “jagirs.”
7. Many mansabdars did not personally administer their jagirs, as they were often located in different regions of the country.

Zabt and Zamindars:

1. The primary source of income for the Mughal rulers came from taxing the produce of the peasantry.
2. In many regions, peasants paid their taxes through intermediaries known as “zamindars.”
3. Akbar’s revenue minister, Todar Mal, conducted a comprehensive survey of crop yields, prices, and cultivated areas.
4. Taxes were then calculated based on this data, marking the introduction of the “zabt” system.
5. The “zabt” system was applicable in regions where Mughal administrators could conduct land surveys and maintain accurate accounts.

Sulh-i kul:

1. Jahangir, Akbar’s son, embraced a policy of “universal peace” known as “sulh-i kul.”
2. This policy encouraged the coexistence of people from different religious backgrounds within the empire.
3. It was characterized by tolerance and inclusivity, allowing Sunnis, Shias, Christians, and Jews to worship in their respective places of worship.

The Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century and After:

1. The Mughal Empire experienced remarkable economic and commercial prosperity.
2. International travelers described it as a land of immense wealth.
3. However, stark economic inequalities existed alongside this wealth.
4. Documents from Shah Jahan’s reign indicated that a small number of high-ranking mansabdars received a significant share of the empire’s revenue.
5. The decline of Mughal central authority led to the rise of powerful regional rulers who, while recognizing the Mughal emperor in Delhi, held substantial independent power.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Important Questions for The Mughals (16th TO 17th CENTURY) Class 7 History NCERT Notes for Chapter 4 CBSE and UPSC

1. What was the significance of the First Battle of Panipat?
   • The First Battle of Panipat marked Babur’s victory over the Sultan of Delhi, establishing the Mughal Empire in India.
2. How did the Mughals manage their succession of rulers?
   • The Mughals followed a system of coparcenary inheritance, where all sons shared the inheritance equally, departing from primogeniture.
3. What role did Rajput marriages play in Mughal politics?
   • Rajput marriages were used to form political alliances, strengthening Mughal influence and fostering cooperation.
4. What was the mansabdari system in the Mughal Empire?
   • The mansabdari system involved granting individuals positions with rank, salary, and military responsibilities.
5. What were the key principles of the “sulh-i kul” policy during Jahangir’s reign?
   • The “sulh-i kul” policy promoted religious tolerance, allowing people from different faiths to coexist peacefully.
6. How did economic disparities in the Mughal Empire affect society?
   • Economic inequalities in the empire led to a concentration of wealth among a small group, while others struggled to make ends meet.
7. Who were some notable Mughal rulers known for their contributions to the empire?
   • Babur, Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan are notable Mughal rulers known for their contributions to governance, culture, and architecture.
8. What factors contributed to the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century?
   • The decline of central authority, regional power struggles, and economic challenges were among the factors leading to the decline.
9. How did Mughal culture influence the arts and architecture of India?
   • Mughal culture had a profound impact on Indian art and architecture, leading to the creation of iconic structures like the Taj Mahal.
10. What role did Mughal administrative reforms play in the stability of the empire?
    • Mughal administrative reforms, including the mansabdari system and revenue collection methods, contributed to the empire’s stability and prosperity.

Keywords and Definitions:

Important definitions for The Mughals (16th TO 17th CENTURY) Class 7 History NCERT Notes for Chapter 4 CBSE and UPSC.

• Mughal: The ruling dynasty of India from the 16th to the 18th century, known for its cultural, political, and architectural achievements.
• Mansab: A position in the Mughal administrative and military hierarchy, including rank, salary, and military responsibilities.
• Zabt: A revenue system introduced by Akbar, based on land surveys and assessments of crop yields and prices.
• Zamindar: An intermediary who collected taxes from peasants on behalf of the Mughal rulers.
• Sulh-i kul: A policy of religious tolerance and coexistence implemented during Jahangir’s reign.
• Timur: A Central Asian conqueror and ancestor of the Mughals, known for his military campaigns and capture of Delhi.
• Genghis Khan: The founder of the Mongol Empire, also an ancestor of the Mughals.
• First Battle of Panipat: A significant battle in 1526 where Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi, establishing Mughal rule in India.

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