Take up a project entitled “Mughal period is the second classical age in Indian history.” Collect material and prepare notes on the following aspects:

(i)    Development of architecture

(ii)    Development of painting

(iii)    Development of languages and literature

(iv)    Development of music

(v) Growth of liberal religious ideas

Or

“The Mughal period is considered as the second classical period of Indian history.” Elaborate.

Or

Give an account of the cultural achievements of the Mughal period.

There is no exaggerating the fact that the Mughal period was the classical and golden period of Indian history. The Gupta period was the first golden period. There are many factors behind it. The empire had been widely stretched and there was perfect peace and order. The political unity too had stepped into the country. Hence, the economic structure of the country had improved. A unique progress took place in the fields of literature, painting, architecture, music and trade. The following facts will justify why the Mughal period is called the golden period of Indian history:

1.    Political uniformity : The Mughal rulers brought uniformity in administration, coins, appointment of officials, law and regulations in the vast areas conquered by them as in his entire empire and established political unity. Formerly the country was divided into small units which were governed by different rulers, different laws and regulations and different methodology of administration.

2.    Beneficial administration : The Mughal administration was humanitarian which was better than that of the Sultans of Delhi. Hence the Marathas, Rajputs and Britishers adopted this administrative policy and stabilised their empire.

3.    Incentive to national feelings : Akbar had recognised the feelings of the Indians. Hence, he never got in the quagmire of religious fanaticism nor did he ever instruct his successors to stick to religious narrowness. All the religious festivals were celebrated in Mughal period. No restriction was imposed upon any one. The people of all religions were appointed to various posts. Aurangzeb was the sole ruler in the Mughal period who had religious narrow mindedness. Hence, he caused his own downfall among with that of his empire by striking at the roots of national feelings. Hence the growth of nationality was at its climax during that period.

4.    Peace and Order : Though the Mughal Empire was very vast but there was never lack of peace and order during the period. The internal riots were quelled once for all. The boundaries were well defended. The lives of the people were free from worries hence an immeasurable development took place in trade and delicacies of art.

5.    Growth of Literature : The granthas which were composed during the period were —Tuzuk-i-Babri or Babarnama, Ain-i-Akbari, Humayunama, Shahnama, Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, etc. All the above books were composed in Persian. The prominent writers / poets of the Hindi were Malik Mohammad Jayasi, Abdur-Rahim Khankhana, Raskhan, Surdas, Tulsidas, Keshavdas, Bhushan, Bihari, etc. The Urdu literature too flourished during this period.

6. Painting : There was an admixture of Indian and Iranian painting in the Mughal period. Aga Raza, Ustad Mansoor, Kishan Dass etc. were famous painters in Jahangir’s period. Unique efficiency in the art was reflected by natural and scenic delication, hunting and painting pertaining to royal families.

7. Music : The religious fanatic Aurangzeb repudiated the musicians. The other Mughal rulers were music loving. ‘Khayal’, ‘Thumri’, Gajal’, etc. were prevalent in this age. The famous musicians of the time were - Tansen, Baj Bahadur, Bachu, Jagannath, Janardan Bhatt, etc.