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Kings And Chronicles : The Mughal Courts
Describe briefly the expansion and consolidation of Mughal Empire under Jalaluddin Akbar (1556-1605).
Mughal Empire under Jalaluddin Akbar (1556-1605):Many people consider Jalaluddin Akbar the greatest of an the Mughal emperors, for he not only expanded but also consolidated his empire, making it the largest, strongest and richest kingdom of his time. Akbar succeeded in extending the frontiers of the empire to the Hindukush mountains, and checked the expansionist designs of the Uzbeks of Turan (Central Asia) and the safavids of Iran.
During of reign the Akbar the basic institution of an imperial structure, governmental administration of centre, provincial and local levels were created and that was almost followed by next two successors of Akbar.
He laid down the religiouns and Rajput policy of secular nature and of harmonious. These policies were not followed by Akbar but almost by Jahangir and Shahjahan also. The Akbar's reforms included effective methods of administration and taxation. The visible centre of Mughal power was the court. Here political alliances and relationships were forged, status and hierarchies defined. The political system devised by the Akbar was based on a combination of military power and conscious policy to accommodate the different traditions they encouraged in the subcontinent.
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Assess the role played by women of the imperial household in the Mughal Empire.
What were the concerns that shaped Mughal policies and attitudes towards regions outside the subcontinent?
Discuss the major features of Mughal provincial administration. How did the centre control the provinces?
Discuss, with examples, the distinctive features of Mughal chronicles.
To what extent do you think the visual material presented in this chapter corresponds with Abu’l Fazl’s description of the taswir (Source 1)?
What were the distinctive features of the Mughal nobility? How was their relationship with the emperor shaped?
Identify the elements that went into the making of the Mughal ideal of kingship.
Find out more about any one Mughal chronicle. Prepare a report describing the author, and the language, style and content of the text. Describe at
least two visuals used to illustrate the chronicle of your choice, focusing on the symbols used to indicate the power of the emperor.
Prepare a report comparing the present-day system of government with the Mughal court and administration, focusing on ideals of rulership, court rituals, and means of recruitment into the imperial service, highlighting the similarities and differences that you notice.
Why did Akbar abolish the pilgrimage tax? Give two reasons.
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