Mughal Influence on Modern India
Mughal Influence on India
Sourabh Cheedella
Table of Contents
I. Introduction 2
II. Style and Schematics of Government 4
III. Views on Religion 6
IV. Merging of Arts 8
V. Conclusion 13
VI. Works Cited 14
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Introduction
The Mughal Dynasty in India and its intervening emperors were, with few exceptions, among the world's most aesthetically minded rulers. (Welch, 11) Each emperor was always reaching an unattainable goal. Babur, the poet-conqueror, was possessed with the dream of expanding and building upon an empire worthy of his ancestral lineage. Akbar's idealistic obsession was an Indian utopia for Hindus and Muslims alike. And Aurangzeb depleted the empire financially with his quixotic ideals due to a mania for conquest of the Deccan Empire. (Welch, 11)
Nevertheless, during the time of their reign, the Mughal Empire had profoundly influenced the daily lives of its Indian citizens. In particular, it affected their style of government, views on religion, and style of arts.
The pattern of Indian conquest had been set many millennia before the Mughals came. (Welch, 9) Aryans, Greeks, Scythians, Huns, Arabs, Turks, and Afghans had trekked through the narrow deserts of India's exposed northwest. (Welch, 9) The native Indians had often confronted these early settlers in order to subjugate them. The victors, of this battle of influence, then held the land until it became their turn to be uprooted.
Babur, the first Mughal emperor of India, was a descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur. Because of his bloodline, he inherited a minor kingdom (the Tajik city of Knozent), at the age of 15, and with his avarice for power, led successful conquests to other city-states. Unfortunately, Babur came down with an illness and information of his limitation spread around his government. Due to an anarchy plot, Babur had to abdicate his throne and had barely managed to abscond from his crumbling sovereignty. In time, Babur, with remnants of his army, captured Kabul (in 1504), a city
Sourabh Cheedella
Table of Contents
I. Introduction 2
II. Style and Schematics of Government 4
III. Views on Religion 6
IV. Merging of Arts 8
V. Conclusion 13
VI. Works Cited 14
*
Introduction
The Mughal Dynasty in India and its intervening emperors were, with few exceptions, among the world's most aesthetically minded rulers. (Welch, 11) Each emperor was always reaching an unattainable goal. Babur, the poet-conqueror, was possessed with the dream of expanding and building upon an empire worthy of his ancestral lineage. Akbar's idealistic obsession was an Indian utopia for Hindus and Muslims alike. And Aurangzeb depleted the empire financially with his quixotic ideals due to a mania for conquest of the Deccan Empire. (Welch, 11)
Nevertheless, during the time of their reign, the Mughal Empire had profoundly influenced the daily lives of its Indian citizens. In particular, it affected their style of government, views on religion, and style of arts.
The pattern of Indian conquest had been set many millennia before the Mughals came. (Welch, 9) Aryans, Greeks, Scythians, Huns, Arabs, Turks, and Afghans had trekked through the narrow deserts of India's exposed northwest. (Welch, 9) The native Indians had often confronted these early settlers in order to subjugate them. The victors, of this battle of influence, then held the land until it became their turn to be uprooted.
Babur, the first Mughal emperor of India, was a descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur. Because of his bloodline, he inherited a minor kingdom (the Tajik city of Knozent), at the age of 15, and with his avarice for power, led successful conquests to other city-states. Unfortunately, Babur came down with an illness and information of his limitation spread around his government. Due to an anarchy plot, Babur had to abdicate his throne and had barely managed to abscond from his crumbling sovereignty. In time, Babur, with remnants of his army, captured Kabul (in 1504), a city
Cited: "Architechture." Menlo 's Sun Server. nd/np. Web. 22 Dec. 2009. <http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/westernstudies/first/1718/2000/eblock/mughal/architecture.html>. Beck, Roger B D., Johnson, Gordon Ph. Cultural atlas of India India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka. New York: Facts on File, 1996. Print. Goodwin, William "Government." Menlo 's Sun Server. Web. 9 Dec. 2009. <http://sun.menloschool.org/~sportman/westernstudies/first/1718/2000/eblock/mughal/government.html>. "Red Fort Complex - UNESCO World Heritage Centre." UNESCO World Heritage Centre - Official Site "Red Fort Delhi - World Heritage Site - Archaeological Survey of India." Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts. Web. 02 Apr. 2010. <http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_delhi_redfort.asp>. Tammita-Delgoda, Sinharaja. A Traveller 's History of India (3rd edition). New York: Interlink Books, 2002. Print. "The Legacy of Empire." Web Travel to India, French Cong., 122 (1665) (testimony of Tavernier). Print. Welch, Stuart C. The Art of Mughal India. New York: H.N. Abrams, 1963. Questia. Web. 14 Jan. 2010. <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=35715236>. Wood, Michael. India. New York: Basic, 2007. Print.