Debating South Asian History

  • Colonial, Orientalist, Nationalist views--Politicization of history in South Asia and abroad
  • Moving through these models—example popular Bhakti and Sufi movements—the poet Kabir

Mughal Conquest

Babur’s success at the Frist battle of Panipat, 1526. Early death in 1530.

Humayun (1508-1556)

  • Problems with rivals—His brother Kamran takes Afghan and Punjab, Sher Shah Suri seizes Bihar
  • 1534-1536—Although he wins a decisive battle against Bahadur Shah of Gujrat, he is unable to capitalize on his victory. He hands over the province to the care of his inept brother Askari, who is quickly put aside by the rebellious Afghan chiefs of the area.
  • 1530-Humayun is forced to sign a treaty with Sher Shah Suri. Slowly, Sher Shah becomes powerful enough to meet the Mughal forces at Kanauj in 1540 and roundly defeat Humayun.
  • Humayun escapes to Persia is abandoned by many followers, exile lasts 15 years.

Sher Shah Suri, r. 1540-1545

  • Sher Shah completely reorganizes the ‘iqta system, and classifies and records the land assignments.
  • He encourages trade by making roads, carvanserais (rest-stops), and imposing law and order on major trade routes.
  • For five short years, his conquests are brought into the framework of a well-run state.When Sher Shah dies, his descendent are unable to hold on to their gains.

Akbar: 15 October, 1542-16 October, 1605

  • Rivalry between Bayram Khan (Guardian) and Maham Anaga (Akbar’s foster mother)c.1560.From 1560-1564, Akbar gradually restrained the influence of Maham Anaga’s family and began to claim complete control over his government.
  • Expansion—conquest of Sultanates and the Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan and Central India. Marriage alliances and military appointments for the defeated aristocratic families of these areas cemented their bonds with Mughal rule, as did the revocation of the jizya poll tax.
  • Religious reforms—Interest in Chisti Sufis, translations of Hindu texts, interactions with other religions, creation of the Ibadat Khana or House of Worship
  • Other reforms—currency, legal system, court ritual, army

Administration

  • Akbar’s greatest achievement, however was the creation of an entirely new administration that did away with the old iqta system used by Babur and Humayun.
  • The empire was divided into provinces/subas, districts, parganahs, and towns and villages. Each level had their associated governing, assessment, tax-collecting, judicial and other appointees. Provincial administration was headed by the subedar (governor).
  • The imperial Diwan, supervised the separate assessment and collection of revenues through different departments, assisted by various levels of officials.
  • The Mir Bakhshi was in charge of the army, inspecting soldiers, horses, and expenses.
  • The chief Qazi or judge likewise supervised other levels of judges, though most religious and caste groups were allowed to keep their own legal systems.
  • Each of the important administrative and army positions were staffed by officers called mansabdars, each level of official having a separate zat (rank) and sawar (cavalry) ranking.
  • Mansabdars were paid either in cash or through Jagirs, but they could only receive their jagirassesments from the treasury, and not directly, as in the iqta system.