List of Mughal emperors

The following list of Indian monarchs is one of several Wikipedia lists of incumbents. It is a list of emperors of the Mughal empire. See also List of Indian Monarchs.

Timurid/Mughal Dynasty

The dynasty called itself the House of Timur as the founder, Babur, was descended (through his mother) from Timur; this new Timurid Dynasty lasted from 1526 until 1857, but had an interregnum under Afghan Sher Shah Suri from 1540-1555 and declined after 1707. It succeeded the Vijayanagara Empire and was superceded by the British Raj; it was the 2nd Muslim regime in India after the Delhi Sultanate and the 4th major, unified empire on the subcontinent. Until Aurangzeb's rule beginning 1658, the Mughals openly tolerated and accepted the peaceful coexistence of Islam and Hinduism in India.

The first six emperors are often referred to just by one name, a title taken as Emperor ("Badshah Vinz", or Padishah in Persian). The relevant title is bolded in the list below. After (and as a result of) Aurangzeb's reign, the empire fell into decline and lost some share of power to the Marathas, Afghan rulers (Nadir Shah), and Rajput princes; by the late 1700's and 1800's, the Mughal Emperor was essentially a figurehead, with little control over the Hindu princes and often acting as a puppet the interests of the East India Company. After troops in the Sepoy Rebellion expressed their desire to restore the Mughal Emperor to former glory, the British eliminated the post in 1857, replacing it with the post of Emperor/Empress of India from 1858-1947.

Zahiruddin Mohammed Babur, b. February 14, 1483 in Andijan (Ferghana Valley), ruler from 1526-1530, d. December 26, 1530 in Agra.

Founded the Mughal Dynasty.

Nasiruddin Mizra Mohammed Humayun, b. March 6, 1508 in Kabul, ruler from 1530-1540, 1555-1556, d. January, 1556 in Delhi.

Interregnum of Sher Shah Suri interrupted his reign; defeated Gujurat and Afghan rivals to his rule and left a united empire for successor, Akbar.

Jalaluddin Mohammed Akbar or Akbar the Great, b. November, 1542 in Umerkot, Sindh, ruler from 1556-1605 in Agra, d. October 27, 1605.

Regarded as the greatest Mughal; under him, Hindu/Muslim relations were at their highest.

Nuruddin Mohammed Jahangir, b. August 1569, ruler from 1605-1627, d. 1627 in Lahore.

Opened first contact with the British East India Company.

Shahbuddin Mohammed Shah Jahan aka Shah Jahan I, b. [5 January [1592]] in Lahore, ruler from 1627-1658, d. 1666 in Agra.

Best known for construction of the Taj Mahal; under him, empire reached greatest artistic and architectural height.

Mohiuddin Mohammed Aurangzeb Alamgir I, b. October 21, 1618, ruler from 1658-1707, d. 1707 in Aurangabad.

Last "great" ruler of the Mughal Dynasty; reverted tolerance policies of predecessors, imposed Sunni Sharia, and brought the empire to its greatest physical extent. Extreme policies left many enemies to undermine the empire after his death.