THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF MUGHAL EMPIRE

History and Culture of the Indian People series, focusing on the Mughul Empire from 1526 to 1707 AD. Under General Editor R. C. Majumdar, the volume aims to present an objective historical narrative, arguing that historians must seek and state the truth regardless of whether it is pleasant or disagreeable.

Core Themes

• The Mughul period is noted for establishing a stable government, efficient administration, and significant developments in architecture, such as the Taj Mahal, and painting.

• The editor highlights the religious bigotry of several Mughul emperors, particularly Aurangzib, asserting that this intolerance was a major factor in the eventual disintegration of the empire.

• The volume provides a comprehensive study of the era, encompassing political history, literature, social and economic conditions, legal institutions, and the resistance movements of the Marathas, Sikhs, and Rajputs.

Historical Sources

Research for this volume relies on a vast, multifaceted collection of source material:

• Literary Chronicles: Includes primary accounts like the autobiographies of Babur and Jahangir, alongside various Persian, Sanskrit, and vernacular works.

• Official Documentation: Features royal farmans, administrative manuals (Dastur-ul-Amal), and court news-letters (Akhbarat).

• Travelogues: Observations recorded by European missionaries, merchants, and travellers.

• Archaeological and Numismatic Evidence: Provides physical context through monuments, inscriptions, and coin collections, which assist in verifying historical timelines and economic conditions.