1. The term Madad-i-Maash literally means "assistance for subsistence" and referred to revenue-free land grants given by the Mughal state. These grants were a form of charity or patronage, primarily extended to religious scholars, judges (qazis), poets and destitute persons who possessed no other meansRead more

    The term Madad-i-Maash literally means “assistance for subsistence” and referred to revenue-free land grants given by the Mughal state. These grants were a form of charity or patronage, primarily extended to religious scholars, judges (qazis), poets and destitute persons who possessed no other means of livelihood. The land was exempt from the usual land revenue taxes. This practice was vital for maintaining the intellectual and religious elite, fostering goodwill and lending legitimacy to the emperor’s rule among the learned segments of the population.

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  2. Emperor Aurangzeb ordered the execution of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, in Delhi in 1675. The Guru was martyred after he refused to convert to Islam, upholding the principle of religious freedom. This act of imperial persecution had profound consequences, deeply estranging the Sikhs fromRead more

    Emperor Aurangzeb ordered the execution of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, in Delhi in 1675. The Guru was martyred after he refused to convert to Islam, upholding the principle of religious freedom. This act of imperial persecution had profound consequences, deeply estranging the Sikhs from the Mughal state. Following his father’s martyrdom, Guru Gobind Singh transformed the Sikh community into the Khalsa, a political-military organization dedicated to fighting oppression and defending its faith.

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  3. In the highly organized administrative system of the Mughals, a district was officially referred to as a Sarkar. This unit was directly below the Suba (province). The Sarkar served as the focal point for both military and revenue administration. [Image illustrating the hierarchy of Mughal administraRead more

    In the highly organized administrative system of the Mughals, a district was officially referred to as a Sarkar. This unit was directly below the Suba (province). The Sarkar served as the focal point for both military and revenue administration. [Image illustrating the hierarchy of Mughal administration: Suba to Sarkar to Pargana] Key officials at the Sarkar level included the Faujdar, who maintained law and order and commanded the military and the Amalguzar, who was responsible for the crucial task of assessing and collecting land revenue from the smaller Parganas within the Sarkar.

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  4. Gulbadan Begum was the daughter of Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty. Born in 1523, she was the half-sister of the second Mughal emperor, Humayun. She is primarily known for authoring the 'Humayunama' (The History of Humayun) at the request of her nephew, Emperor Akbar. ThRead more

    Gulbadan Begum was the daughter of Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty. Born in 1523, she was the half-sister of the second Mughal emperor, Humayun. She is primarily known for authoring the ‘Humayunama’ (The History of Humayun) at the request of her nephew, Emperor Akbar. This memoir is an invaluable source, offering a detailed and unique female perspective on the reigns of Babur and Humayun, particularly regarding dynastic feuds and the personal lives within the imperial harem.

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  5. The tomb of Tansen, the celebrated musician and composer from Emperor Akbar’s court, is located in his native city of Gwalior. Tansen was a pivotal figure in North Indian classical music, credited with creating many new ragas. His mausoleum is deliberately situated near the tomb of his Sufi master,Read more

    The tomb of Tansen, the celebrated musician and composer from Emperor Akbar’s court, is located in his native city of Gwalior. Tansen was a pivotal figure in North Indian classical music, credited with creating many new ragas. His mausoleum is deliberately situated near the tomb of his Sufi master, Shaikh Muhammad Ghaus, signifying the spiritual influence on his art. The site remains a cultural landmark and a place of pilgrimage for music lovers and classical singers today.

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