Medieval India
Rise of Babur & Humayun in Mughal Period
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- Rise Of Babur & Humayun In Mughal Period
- Introduction - Indian History
- Historical Sources (Literary & Archaeological Source)
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- The Stone Age/Lithic Age 30,00,000 BC to 1,000 BC
- 7 Highlights of India's Prehistoric Ages
- Origin & Culture of Aryans in Vedic India
- Mahajanapada Period (600 BC- 325 BC)
- Religious Movements (600 BC - 400 BC) – Jainism, Buddhism
- Maurya Period (322 BC - 155 BC)
- Post-Maurya/Pre-Gupta Period (185BC-319 AD)
- The Sangam Period (1st-3rd Century AD)
- The Gupta Period (319 AD - 540 AD)
- The Post-Gupta Period/Vardhana Dynasty (550 AD - 647 AD)
- Early Medieval Period: Rajputs to Cholas Overview
- History of Delhi Sultanate
- Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1565 AD)
- Religious Movements in 15th -16th Centuries
- Timeline of Mughal Period (1526-1857)
- Maratha State (1674-1720) and Maratha Confederacy (1720-1818)
- The Advent of the Europeans From (1498-1763)
- Expansion of British Power in India
- India’s Exploitation by the British Rule
- Socio-Religious Movements in 19th-20th Centuries
- Lower Caste/Caste Movements and Organisations
- Moderate Phase (1885-1905) - Indian National Congress
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- The Gandhian Era: 1869–1948
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- Mesolithic Age in India (9,000 BC - 4,000 BC)
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- Iron Age (1,000 BC–500 BC)
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- Vedic Culture (1500 BC – 600 BC)
- Rig Vedic/Early Vedic Period (1500 BC - 1000 BC)
- Later Vedic Period (1000 BC - 600 BC)
- Haryanka Dynasty (544 BC – 412 BC)
- Religious Movements of Jainism (600 BC - 400 BC)
- Religious Movements of Buddhism (600 BC - 400 BC)
- Maurya Period Sources (322 BC - 155 BC)
- Origin of the Maurya Dynasty (322 BC - 155 BC)
- Mauryan Administration & Art (322 BC - 155 BC)
- Gupta Administration: Society, Economy & Culture
- The Khilji Dynasty : 1290-1320 AD
- The Tughlaq Dynasty: 1320-1414 AD
- The Sayyed and Lodhi Dynasty
- Sher Shah Suri Empire (1540–55): Second Afghan Empire
- The Mughal Empire Under Akbar (1556–1605)
- Jahangir to Aurangzeb (1605–1707)
- Later Mughal Empire and Its Administration
- Mughal Culture & Architecture Explained
- Rise of Maratha Power (1674–1720): Shivaji to Shahu
- Maratha Confederacy (1720–1818)
Rise of Babur & Humayun in Mughal Period
Babur: 1526–30
Foundation of the Mughal Rule
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The foundation of the Mughal rule in India was laid by Babur in 1526.
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He was a descendant of Timur (from the side of his father) and Chengiz Khan (from the side of his mother).
Major Battles and Victories
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Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the first battle of Panipat on April 21, 1526, and established the Mughal dynasty, which lasted till the establishment of British rule in India.
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In 1527, he defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar at Khanwa,
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In 1528, he defeated Medini Rai of Chaneri at Chanderi,
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In 1529, he defeated Muhammad Lodhi (uncle of Ibrahim Lodhi) at Ghaghra.
Death and Tomb
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In 1530, he died at Agra. His tomb is in Kabul.
Military Innovations
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He adopted the Tughluma and the flanking party system and was the first to use gunpowder and artillery in India.
Writings and Literary Contributions
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He wrote his autobiography Tuzuk-i-Baburi in Turki in which he gives an excellent account of India and his empire.
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Tuzuk-i-Baburi was translated into Persian (named Babumama) by Abdur Rahim Khanekhana and into English by Madam Bevridge.
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He compiled two anthologies of poems, Diwan (in Turki) and Mubaiyan (in Persian). He also wrote Risa-i-Usaz or letters of Babur.
Humayun: 1530–40 and 1555–56
Accession to the Throne
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He was the son of Babur and ascended the throne in 1530.
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His succession was challenged by his brothers Kamran, Hindal, and Askari, along with the Afghans.
Battles with Sher Shah Suri
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He fought two battles against SherShah at Chausa (1539) and Kannauj/Bilgram (1540) and was completely defeated by him.
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He escaped to Iran, where he spent 12 years of his life in exile.
Return and Restoration
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After Sher Shah's death, Humayun invaded India in 1555 and defeated his brothers, the Afghans. He once again became the ruler of India.
Death and Legacy
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He died while climbing down the stairs of his library (at Din Panah) in 1556 and was buried in Delhi.
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British orientalist Lane Poole remarked on Humayun’s misfortune:
"Humayun tumbled through life, and he tumbled out of it."
Family and Literary Contributions
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His sister, Gulbadan Begum, wrote his biography Humayunama.
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He built Din Panah in Delhi as his second capital.
Final Thoughts
The reigns of Babur and Humayun laid the foundation for the powerful Mughal Empire in India. Babur’s military skills, strategic innovations, and cultural contributions established a strong base for future rulers.
Humayun’s journey was filled with challenges, including defeat and exile, but his return to power ensured the continuity of the dynasty. Despite a short and troubled reign, he preserved what his father had built. Together, their efforts set the stage for the empire’s golden age under Akbar and beyond.
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