List of Mughal Emperors(1527 – 1857): Timeline and War

List of Mughal Emperors: The Mughal Empire was a dominant force in South Asia from the 16th to the 18th centuries and had its roots in the establishment of Babur, a descendant of Timur and a Mongol conqueror. The empire expanded significantly under the leadership of successors like Akbar the Great. Renowned for supporting the arts, architectural accomplishments, and efficient administration, the Mughals left a lasting impact on the region.

Mughal Emperors

Check the list of Mughal Emperors with the timeline below.

Rulers of Mughal Empire

Babur laid the foundation for the empire on April 20, 1526, by defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the Battle of Panipat. However, the empire began its decline during the reign of the sixth emperor, Aurangzeb. Ultimately, on September 21, 1857, the empire faced its demise due to the Revolt of 1857. The final ruler, Bahadur Shah II, marked the end of the Mughal Empire.

List of Mughal Emperors in India(1527 to 1857)

Emperor	Timeline	State Ruled
Babur	1526 – 1530	Delhi, Agra
Humayun	1st Term: 1530 – 1540;	Delhi, Agra
	(Suri Dynasty: 1540 – 1555)
	2nd Term: 1555 – 1556
Akbar	1556 – 1605	Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri
Jahangir	1605 – 1627	Delhi, Agra
Shah Jahan	1627 – 1658	Delhi, Agra, Shahjahanabad
Aurangzeb	1658 – 1707	Delhi, Agra
Bahadur Shah I	1707 – 1712	Delhi, Agra
Jahandar Shah	1712 – 1713	Delhi, Agra
Furrukhsiyar	1713 – 1719	Delhi, Agra
Rafi Ul-Darjat	1719	Delhi, Agra
Rafi Ud-Daulat	1719	Delhi, Agra
Muhammad Ibrahim	1720	Delhi, Agra
Muhammad Shah	1719 – 1748	Delhi, Agra
Ahmad Shah Bahadur	1748 – 1754	Delhi, Agra
Alamgir II	1754 – 1759	Delhi, Agra
Shah Jahan III	1759 – 1760	Delhi, Agra
Shah Alam II	1760 – 1806	Delhi, Agra
Akbar Shah II	1806 – 1837	Delhi, Agra
Bahadur Shah II	1837 – 1857	Delhi, Agra

Famous Mughal Emperors in India

Mughal Emperors was one of the most famous kingdoms in Indian history. Below are some details about notable Mughal Emperors.

List of Mughal Emperors in Order

Babur (1526–1530)

Babur, the Mughal Empire’s founder, emerged victorious over Ibrahim Lodi in 1526, establishing Mughal rule in India. He introduced gunpowder and engaged in significant battles against Rana Sanga, Medini Rai, and Mahmud Lodi. Babur’s contributions included penning the Tuzuk-i-Baburi in Turkish.

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• Babur Biography

Humayun (1530–1540 & 1555–1556)

Humayun, Babur’s son, faced defeats against Sher Shah Suri in the Battles of Chausa and Kannauj. After 15 years in exile, he returned to India in 1555, supported by Bairam Khan. Humayun’s death in 1556 marked the era documented in Humayun-nama by his half-sister Gulbadan Begum.

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• Humayun Biography

Akbar (1556–1605)

Crowned at 13, Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, triumphed over Hemu at the Second Battle of Panipat with Bairam Khan’s aid. His reign saw the conquest of various regions and the establishment of the Todar Mal Bandobast. Akbar introduced the Mansabdari System and had a notable court, including figures like Todar Mal, Birbal, and Tansen.

• Akbar Biography

Jahangir (1605–1627)

Jahangir, Akbar’s son, executed the fifth Sikh Guru, Arjun Dev, and established Zanjir-i-Adal for royal justice. His reign faced challenges, including the loss of Kandahar to Persia in 1622. Renowned painters in Jahangir’s court included Abdul Hassan, Ustad Mansur, and Bishandas.

Shah Jahan (1627–1658)

Shah Jahan, Jahangir’s son, is renowned for iconic architectural wonders like the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Jama Masjid. The pinnacle of Mughal architecture was reached during his “Golden Age.” Visitors to Shah Jahan’s court included the Italian adventurer Manucci and Frenchmen Bernier and Tavernier.

Aurangzeb (1658–1707)

Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan’s son, won the Mughal throne after a succession struggle. His reign witnessed territorial peaks but also internal strife. Known for issuing a Royal Firman against Sati in 1664 or 1666 and beheading Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1675, Aurangzeb’s rule spanned from Kashmir to Chittagong.

Bahadur Shah I (1707–1712)

Bahadur Shah I succeeded Aurangzeb after a succession conflict, known as Muazzam or Shah Alam I. His rule began at the age of 65, and he faced challenges in maintaining the Mughal legacy amid a changing political landscape.

Later Mughal Emperors

Subsequent Mughal rulers faced challenges as powerful nobles influenced their rule, contributing to the empire’s decline. Jahandar Shah, Furrukhsiyar, Rafi Ul-Darjat, Rafi Ud-Daulat, Muhammad Ibrahim, and Muhammad Shah witnessed a diminishing empire, ultimately succumbing to Nadir Shah’s invasion and the breakup of independent kingdoms.

Ahmad Shah Bahadur (1748–1754)

Son of Muhammad Shah, Ahmad Shah Bahadur faced challenges from Safdarjung and the Maratha Confederacy. The Mughal Civil War ensued, leading to defeats and the cession of Multan and Punjab.

Alamgir II (1754–1759)

Alamgir II, the 15th Mughal emperor, faced a conspiracy leading to his assassination. Sadashivrao Bhau’s plot, a Maratha ally of Imad-Ul-Mulk, marked the end of his rule.

Shah Jahan III (1759-1760)

Shah Jahan III, the 16th Mughal emperor, fell after the Third Battle of Panipat, replaced by Prince Mirza Jawan Bakht.

Shah Alam II (1760–1806)

Shah Alam II, the 17th Mughal Emperor, fought in the Battle of Buxar against the British East India Company, attempting to rebuild the Mughal Army.

Akbar Shah II (1806–1837)

Akbar Shah II, Shah Alam II’s son, faced conflicts with the British East India Company, resulting in his emperor’s name being removed from official coins.

Bahadur Shah II (1837–1857)

Bahadur Shah II, the last Mughal Emperor, was overthrown by the British after the Revolt of 1857, leading to his exile in Burma.

First Mughal Emperor in India

The first Mughal Emperor in India was Babur, who founded the Mughal Empire in 1526. Babur was a descendant of Timur on his father’s side and Genghis Khan on his mother’s side, and he hailed from Central Asia. He invaded India and, in the Battle of Panipat in 1526, defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the Sultan of Delhi, establishing the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent.

Babur’s reign marked the beginning of a dynasty that would rule much of the Indian subcontinent for around three centuries. His successors, including Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb, expanded the empire and left a significant impact on Indian history, culture, and architecture.

Last Mughal Emperor in India

The last Mughal Emperor in India was Bahadur Shah II, also known as Bahadur Shah Zafar. He was the son of Akbar Shah II and became the Emperor in 1837. Bahadur Shah II’s reign coincided with a period of significant turmoil and decline for the Mughal Empire.

By the mid-19th century, the British East India Company had expanded its control over much of India. The Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, erupted against British rule, and Bahadur Shah II was reluctantly chosen as the nominal leader of the rebellion. However, the uprising was eventually suppressed by the British.

Longest Ruling Mughal Emperor in India

The longest-reigning Mughal Emperor in India was Akbar the Great. He ascended to the throne at the age of 13 after his father Humayun’s death in 1556 and ruled until his death in 1605. Akbar’s reign spanned for approximately 49 years, making him one of the most influential and successful rulers in the history of the Mughal Empire.

During his reign, Akbar implemented various administrative, cultural, and military reforms that helped solidify the Mughal Empire’s strength and expand its territories. He was known for his policy of religious tolerance, efforts to integrate diverse cultures into the empire, and administrative innovations, such as the Mansabdari system.

FAQs on list of Mughal Emperors

1Who was first Mughal Emperor in India?

Babur(1526 – 1530) was the first Mughal Emperor in India.

Which Mughal emperor earned the title “Insan-i-Kamil” (Perfect Man) due to his peaceful personality and patience?

Humayun earned the title “Insan-i-Kamil” (Perfect Man).

Who were the 19 Mughal emperors?

The Mughal Empire saw a succession of rulers, and Akbar Shah II was the 19th Mughal Emperor in India, reigning from 1806 to 1837.

How many Mughal emperors are there?

While the Mughal Empire had more than 19 emperors, discussions often focus on the “Great Mughals.” This term highlights prominent rulers, including but not limited to Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb, and their successors, who left a significant mark on the history of the Mughal Empire.