SocietySouth Asia

The Mughal empire

Jan 1, 1526 – Jan 1, 1857

A quarter of the world economy, and the Taj Mahal

In depth

In the seventeenth century India accounted for roughly a quarter of world output, chiefly through textiles exported worldwide. Akbar's religious policy was unusual for its time anywhere; his great-grandson Aurangzeb reversed it and extended the empire militarily, but drained the treasury. When the British took over, they inherited an administrative system the Mughals had built.

For children

The Mughals ruled most of India for three centuries. Akbar abolished the tax on non-Muslims and summoned scholars of every religion to debate at court. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a tomb for his wife.

Connects to

TimurJan 1370 – Jan 1405
The Delhi SultanateJan 1206 – Jan 1526
The British East India CompanyJan 1, 1600 – Jan 1, 1858
The 1857 rebellion and the British RajMay 27, 1857 – Aug 8, 1947

Part of Terra Saga — the story of Earth on a timeline. terrasaga.org