The Mughal Empire, 1526-1707

    OCR
    GCSE

    This study analyzes the rise, consolidation, and eventual crisis of the Mughal Empire from Babur's victory at Panipat (1526) to the death of Aurangzeb (1707). Candidates must evaluate the evolution of imperial authority, contrasting the syncretic, centralized bureaucracy established by Akbar with the orthodox and expansionist overreach attributed to Aurangzeb. Key areas of focus include the effectiveness of the Mansabdari system, the shifting relationship with the Rajput elites, the projection of power through art and architecture, and the historiographical debate surrounding the causes of imperial decline.

    11
    Objectives
    8
    Exam Tips
    8
    Pitfalls
    6
    Key Terms
    8
    Mark Points

    Subtopics in this area

    The Mughal Empire, 1526-1707
    The Mughal Empire, 1526-1707

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • First Battle of Panipat (1526) and the use of artillery by Babur
    • Establishment of the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) by Akbar in 1575
    • Construction of the Taj Mahal by Shah Jahan (completed c. 1653)
    • Aurangzeb's reinstatement of the Jizya tax (1679)
    • Foundation of the British East India Company (1600) and the embassy of Sir Thomas Roe
    • First Battle of Panipat (1526) - Babur's use of artillery and tulughma tactics.
    • The Mansabdari System - Administrative hierarchy introduced by Akbar to organize the nobility and military.
    • Sulh-i-kul (Universal Peace) - Akbar's policy of religious tolerance.
    • Construction of the Taj Mahal (completed c. 1653) - Symbol of Shah Jahan's wealth and architectural patronage.
    • Re-imposition of the Jizya Tax (1679) - Aurangzeb's shift towards orthodox Sharia law.
    • The Deccan Wars - Prolonged military campaigns under Aurangzeb that drained the imperial treasury.

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have described the event accurately; now explain *why* this was a turning point for the Empire"
    • "Differentiate clearly between the administrative reforms of Akbar and the military expansion of Aurangzeb"
    • "Your judgment is valid, but you must address the counter-argument regarding the economic costs of Shah Jahan's building projects"
    • "Link the specific term 'Din-i-Ilahi' directly to Akbar's attempt to unify a multi-religious empire"
    • "You have described what happened under Akbar, but you need to explain *why* this led to stability (AO2)."
    • "The inference is valid, but you must quote the specific phrase in the source that supports this view (AO3)."
    • "Your judgment asserts that Aurangzeb was responsible for the decline; broaden this by evaluating the structural economic problems he inherited."
    • "Differentiate clearly between the 'Jagirdar' (revenue collector) and the 'Zamindar' (local landholder) to improve factual precision."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Credit analysis of Akbar's 'Sulh-i-kul' (universal peace) not just as religious tolerance, but as a political strategy to consolidate Rajput loyalty
    • Award marks for linking the Mansabdari system explicitly to the efficiency of tax collection and military organization
    • Responses must evaluate the impact of Aurangzeb's reinstatement of the Jizya tax on internal stability and Hindu-Muslim relations
    • Credit specific details regarding the fusion of Persian, Islamic, and Hindu styles in architecture (e.g., Fatehpur Sikri, Taj Mahal) as projections of imperial power
    • Award marks for precise identification of the 'Great Mughals' in chronological order: Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb.
    • Credit analysis that links the Mansabdari system directly to the stability of the empire, noting its role in integrating diverse nobility (Rajputs, Persians).
    • Responses must distinguish between Akbar's abolition of the Jizya tax and Aurangzeb's re-imposition (1679) as a turning point in Hindu-Muslim relations.
    • High-level responses must evaluate the economic impact of architectural projects (e.g., Taj Mahal, Red Fort) rather than simply describing their beauty.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡When discussing the 'Golden Age', ensure you cover all three aspects: military success, administrative efficiency, and cultural achievement
    • 💡Use precise terminology like 'Jagir', 'Jizya', and 'Ibadat Khana' to demonstrate AO1 depth
    • 💡In 'How far' questions regarding decline, balance Aurangzeb's military overextension against earlier structural weaknesses
    • 💡Structure 'Write an account' responses chronologically but focus on the *process* of change (e.g., how Humayun's exile influenced later Mughal culture)
    • 💡For the 7-mark source question, explicitly state the inference ('I can learn that...') and immediately support it with a specific detail from the source provenance or content.
    • 💡In the 12-mark 'Explain why' question, prioritize two distinct, well-developed factors (e.g., military strength AND religious tolerance) over a list of three or four undeveloped points.
    • 💡For the 18-mark essay, ensure the conclusion does not merely repeat points but provides a 'sustained judgment' on the relative weight of factors (e.g., was personality more important than structural weakness?).
    • 💡Use specific terminology like 'Ibadat Khana', 'Jagir', and 'Subah' to demonstrate the precise knowledge required for the top band.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing the specific religious policies of Akbar (tolerance) with those of Aurangzeb (orthodoxy)
    • Describing the Mansabdari system vaguely as 'giving land' rather than a ranked hierarchy of state service
    • Treating the period 1526–1707 as a static block rather than identifying the 'Golden Age' versus the seeds of decline
    • Failing to distinguish between the roles of the Zamindars (local hereditary landlords) and Mansabdars (state officials)
    • Conflating the religious policies of Akbar and Aurangzeb, treating the Mughal period as a monolithic block of Islamic orthodoxy.
    • Failing to differentiate between the First Battle of Panipat (1526) and the Second Battle of Panipat (1556) regarding their significance for empire foundation vs. restoration.
    • Describing the Mansabdari system vaguely as 'giving land' without explaining the *zat* and *sawar* ranks or the non-hereditary nature of jagirs.
    • Attributing the decline solely to Aurangzeb's religious policies while ignoring the economic strain of the Deccan Wars and the Jagirdari crisis.

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Write an account
    Explain
    How far do you agree
    Why
    To what extent
    How successful
    What can you learn
    Explain why
    Study Source A
    Give one reason

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