This book tells the story of the Mughal Empire, which lasted from 1526 to 1857 when it was dissolved by the British following the Indian Uprising. It was a time when the Indian sub-continent was ruled by a Turco-Mongol Islamic dynasty.The early Mughals, who came from Central Asia, introduced many aspects of Persian culture into India, for example literature, painting and architecture. The Taj Mahal is a surviving example of the particular Indo-Islamic style of Mughals architecture.Under the first six Emperors, the Mughals enjoyed expansion and prosperity. The reign of Akbar the Great was unusual for its religious tolerance. Shah Jahan is remembered for the many magnificent buildings he commissioned. The sixth Emperor, Aurangzeb was a conservative Muslim who introduced Sharia Law. Contemporary sources, both biographies and the accounts of European travellers, help to put flesh onto the bones of these Emperors.With the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Empire went into a steady decline. This was partly due to the affects of Aurangzeb's religious policies that had alienated the majority Hindu population. Another reason was the growing power of the Hindu Marathas. But the greatest factor was the increasing presence and influence of the British East India Company.By the middle of the 19th Century Mughal power was limited to just Delhi and its environs. Relations between the British and local population had deteriorated. A minor incident broke out in the ranks of the Bengal Native Infantry leading to the Indian Uprising. This book is written in an accessible style that should appeal to the non-academic. Maps, family trees, a Who's Who and a Timeline should help the reader navigate through this fascinating story.
