The Mughal Empire was one of the most powerful and influential dynasties in Indian history, ruling from 1526 to 1857. Here is a complete list of the Mughal Emperors in chronological order:
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1. Babur (1526–1530)
– Full Name: Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur
– Founder of the Mughal Empire.
– Defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat (1526).
– Established Mughal rule in India.
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2. Humayun (1530–1540, 1555–1556)
– Full Name: Nasir-ud-din Muhammad Humayun
– Son of Babur.
– Lost the empire to Sher Shah Suri in 1540 but regained it in 1555.
– Died in 1556 after falling from the stairs of his library.
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3. Akbar the Great (1556–1605)
– Full Name: Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar
– One of the greatest Mughal emperors.
– Expanded the empire to cover most of the Indian subcontinent.
– Known for his policy of religious tolerance and administrative reforms.
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4. Jahangir (1605–1627)
– Full Name: Nur-ud-din Muhammad Salim Jahangir
– Son of Akbar.
– Known for his love of art and culture.
– His wife, Nur Jahan, played a significant role in administration.
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5. Shah Jahan (1628–1658)
– Full Name: Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Khurram Shah Jahan
– Son of Jahangir.
– Built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
– Known for his architectural achievements, including the Red Fort and Jama Masjid.
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6. Aurangzeb (1658–1707)
– Full Name: Muhi-ud-din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir
– Son of Shah Jahan.
– Expanded the empire to its greatest extent but faced rebellions.
– Known for his strict Islamic policies and decline of religious tolerance.
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7. Bahadur Shah I (1707–1712)
– Full Name: Qutb-ud-din Muhammad Mu’azzam Bahadur Shah I
– Son of Aurangzeb.
– Faced challenges in maintaining the empire’s unity.
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8. Jahandar Shah (1712–1713)
– Full Name: Mu’izz-ud-din Jahandar Shah
– Grandson of Bahadur Shah I.
– A weak ruler, overthrown by his nephew Farrukhsiyar.
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9. Farrukhsiyar (1713–1719)
– Full Name: Farrukhsiyar
– Overthrown and executed by the Sayyid brothers, who held significant power.
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10. Rafi ud-Darajat (1719)
– Full Name: Rafi ud-Darajat
– Ruled for a few months before his death.
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11. Shah Jahan II (1719)
– Full Name: Rafi ud-Daulah Shah Jahan II
– Ruled briefly before his death.
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12. Muhammad Shah (1719–1748)
– Full Name: Roshan Akhtar Muhammad Shah
– Known as Muhammad Shah Rangila.
– His reign saw the decline of the Mughal Empire and the rise of regional powers.
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13. Ahmad Shah Bahadur (1748–1754)
– Full Name: Ahmad Shah Bahadur
– Son of Muhammad Shah.
– Faced invasions and was deposed by his vizier, Imad-ul-Mulk.
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14. Alamgir II (1754–1759)
– Full Name: Aziz-ud-din Alamgir II
– Grandson of Jahandar Shah.
– Assassinated by his vizier.
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15. Shah Alam II (1759–1806)
– Full Name: Ali Gauhar Shah Alam II
– Faced challenges from the British East India Company and regional powers.
– Lost control after the Battle of Buxar (1764).
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16. Akbar Shah II (1806–1837)
– Full Name: Mirza Akbar Shah II
– Ruled under British protection.
– Had little real power.
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17. Bahadur Shah II (1837–1857)
– Full Name: Abu Zafar Siraj-ud-din Muhammad Bahadur Shah Zafar
– Last Mughal emperor.
– Symbolic leader of the 1857 Revolt against the British.
– Exiled to Rangoon (Yangon) after the revolt’s failure.
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End of the Mughal Empire
– The Mughal Empire officially ended in 1857 after the British suppressed the revolt and exiled Bahadur Shah II.
– The British Crown took direct control of India, marking the beginning of the British Raj.