Early Modern Era

Mughal Empire

1526 AD – 1750 AD · peak 1700 AD

Founded by Babur in 1526, the Mughal Empire integrated most of the Indian subcontinent under centralized Indo-Persian rule. Major rulers included Akbar, who promoted religious syncretism, and Shah Jahan, who commissioned the Taj Mahal in 1632. The empire reached its territorial peak under Aurangzeb but rapidly disintegrated after 1707 due to succession conflicts, Maratha expansion, and British colonization.

Capital: Agra / Delhi