Mughal Empire and Marathas

The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat (1526). Succession order: 'BHAJSA' = Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb. Akbar (1556-1605) won the Second Battle of Panipat (1556) against Hemu and built religious harmony via 'Din-i-Ilahi' and abolishing 'jizya' tax. The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was fought between Akbar's general Man Singh and Maharana Pratap. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal (Agra) for Mumtaz Mahal and the Red Fort & Jama Masjid (Delhi). Aurangzeb was the last powerful emperor; after him the empire declined.

Chhatrapati Shivaji (1630-1680) founded the Maratha Empire and was crowned at Raigad fort in 1674. He developed guerrilla warfare ('Ganimi Kava'), a strong navy, and the 'Ashtapradhan' (council of eight ministers). His clash with Aurangzeb's general Shaista Khan and the killing of Afzal Khan are famous. After Shivaji, the Peshwas (prime ministers) became the real power; Baji Rao I expanded Maratha rule greatly. The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) was fought between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali, where the Marathas were defeated, weakening their power and indirectly aiding British expansion.

All three Battles of Panipat were fought near Panipat (Haryana) and each changed Indian history. First Panipat (1526): Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi - founded Mughal Empire. Second Panipat (1556): Akbar's forces (Bairam Khan) defeated Hemu - secured Mughal rule. Third Panipat (1761): Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas - ended Maratha dominance in the north. Trick to remember years: 1526, 1556, 1761. Also note the Battle of Plassey (1757) and Battle of Buxar (1764) marked the start of British political control in India, distinct from the Panipat battles.

Cover the answer, recall, then check. 12 must-know facts on the Mughals & Marathas.

Q1. Who founded the Mughal Empire and in which battle?
A1. Babur, by defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat (1526).

Q2. Who defeated Humayun and is famous for the Grand Trunk Road?
A2. Sher Shah Suri; he also introduced the silver 'Rupiya' and reformed the postal system.

Q3. Which battle in 1556 established Akbar's rule, and against whom?
A3. The Second Battle of Panipat (1556) against Hemu, won for Akbar by Bairam Khan.

Q4. Name Akbar's syncretic religion and his capital city.
A4. Din-i-Ilahi; his capital was Fatehpur Sikri (site of the Buland Darwaza).

Q5. In which 1576 battle did Akbar's forces face Maharana Pratap?
A5. The Battle of Haldighati (1576).

Q6. Which Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal and for whom?
A6. Shah Jahan, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Q7. Which English envoys visited the court of Jahangir?
A7. Captain William Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe (ambassador of King James I).

Q8. Which Mughal emperor re-imposed the jizya tax and executed Guru Tegh Bahadur?
A8. Aurangzeb (Alamgir), the last of the great Mughals.

Q9. Where and in which year was Shivaji crowned Chhatrapati?
A9. At Raigad Fort in 1674.

Q10. What was Shivaji's council of eight ministers called?
A10. The Ashtapradhan.

Q11. Which Peshwa greatly expanded Maratha power in the 18th century?
A11. Baji Rao I, considered an undefeated general.

Q12. Who defeated the Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761)?
A12. Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durrani) of Afghanistan.

Worked Example

Problem: Who founded the Mughal Empire in India and by winning which battle, and who later built the Taj Mahal and in whose memory?

Solution:
Step 1 — Founder of the Mughal Empire. Babur founded the Mughal Empire in India. He defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, which established Mughal rule.
Step 2 — Builder of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal at Agra was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
Step 3 — In whose memory. Shah Jahan built it in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, as a grand marble mausoleum. It is today one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Answer: Babur founded the Mughal Empire by winning the First Battle of Panipat (1526); Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.