Mughal Empire in India

Author: (French) Valerie Berinstain
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: In 1526, Babur—a young Turkish-Mongol prince born in Central Asia—established an empire in the Indian subcontinent, marking the beginning of the Mughal dynasty's rule over India. Thirty years later, Mughal Indian civilization blossomed with dazzling brilliance, its wealth and elegance creating legendary splendor. However, in the mid-19th century, rebellions by factions and the subsequent weakness, laziness, and extravagant indulgence of the last few emperors destroyed the entire Mughal dynasty. This book uses over 140 sources to recreate the magnificent splendor of the Mughal Empire, providing a concise introduction to works from that era, particularly the memoirs of rulers, architectural blueprints, paintings, and photographic images of major historical and cultural sites.
In 1526, Babur—a young Turkish-Mongol prince born in Central Asia—won a decisive victory in the war against the Sultan of Delhi and resolved to establish an empire in the Indian subcontinent, thus opening the curtain on the Mughal dynasty's rule over India. Thirty years later, Emperor Akbar furthered his grandfather's legacy, conquering vast territories and ultimately solidifying the Mughal regime with its unparalleled political and administrative system. The Mughal Empire truly began. Under the rule of these emperors who loved art and strongly supported cultural and artistic endeavors, Mughal Indian civilization shone with brilliant radiance, its wealth and elegance achieving legendary splendor.
However, in the mid-19th century, rebellions by factions and the subsequent weakness, laziness, and extravagant indulgence of the last few emperors destroyed the entire Mughal dynasty, reducing the Mughal emperors to puppets of the new masters of India—the British. Valerie Berinstain (Valérie Berinstain) presents us with the extraordinary journey of this Islamic dynasty, which dominated the fate of the entire Indian subcontinent for three centuries.
Over 140 sources recreate the magnificent splendor of the Mughal Empire, providing a concise introduction to works from that era, particularly the memoirs of rulers, architectural blueprints, paintings, and photographic images of major historical and cultural sites.