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Module - II Military System of The Mughals
Military History of
Medieval India
6
Note
MILITARY SYSTEM OF THE
MUGHALS
As you have learnt in the previous lesson the Muslim rulers of Delhi who called
themselves the 'Sultans' acknowledged the authority of the 'Caliph'. However, when
the Mughal rulers came to power, they repudiated the authority of Caliph and called
themselves as 'Padshah'.
Another remarkable development during this period was that the European Trading
Companies started establishing themselves in India. The Portuguese followed by the
Dutch, the Danish, the English and the French-all came to India but they were not able
to make much headway up to the time of Aurangzeb. However, as you will see later
the throne became virtually vacant after the death of Aurangzeb. For all these factors
it is said that with the arrival of Mughals, a new age started in the history of India.
Objectives
After studying this lesson you will be able to:
describe the dynamics of Mughal Empire in India and
explain the Mughal military structure
6.1 Overview of Mughal Empire
Mughals from Central Asia ruled India for more than three hundred years - from 1526
up until 1857 - when the last Mughal ruler was overthrown and British established
their control. During these three hundred years of Mughal
period the military underwent many changes. We can learn all this from the recorded
history of the battles that they had fought. Who established the Mughal empire? How
did they come to India? And who were the prominent rulers? Here are the answers to
these questions.
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MILITARY HISTORY