Jahangir (1605–1627) continued Akbar's tolerant policies and is remembered for his love of art and nature — his memoirs are among the finest of the era. His wife Nur Jahan exercised extraordinary political influence, effectively co-ruling the empire and managing court factions.

Shah Jahan (1627–1658) presided over the Mughal Empire at its aesthetic peak. His most famous monument is the Taj Mahal, built between 1632 and 1653 in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. The Red Fort at Delhi and the Jama Masjid mosque were also completed under his rule. But the immense cost of his building projects strained the treasury, and his reign ended when his son Aurangzeb imprisoned him in Agra Fort (1658).

Aurangzeb (1658–1707) represents the sharpest contrast to Akbar. A devout Muslim who felt previous emperors had compromised too much with Hindu practices, he reversed the policies that had made Mughal rule stable:

Jizya reimposed (1679): The discriminatory tax on non-Muslims, which Akbar had abolished in 1564, was brought back. Hindus, Sikhs, and other non-Muslims were required to pay it, causing widespread resentment.

Temple destruction: Aurangzeb ordered the destruction of many Hindu temples, including the Kashi Vishwanath temple at Varanasi and the Mathura temple complex — sites of deep religious significance.

Deccan Wars (1681–1707): Aurangzeb spent the last twenty-six years of his reign personally campaigning in the Deccan against the Maratha confederacy led by Shivaji and his successors. The wars cost millions of rupees and tens of thousands of lives without achieving lasting conquest.

Maratha resistance: Shivaji Bhonsle (1627–1680) built a powerful Maratha state based on guerrilla warfare, fortress control, and Hindu nationalist identity. His successors continued to resist Aurangzeb, tying down the Mughal army for decades.

This deep dive covers Later Mughals: Magnificence and Overstretch, 1605–1707 within The Mughal Empire, 1526-1707 for GCSE History. Revise The Mughal Empire, 1526-1707 in Component Group 4 — Period Studies for GCSE History with 14 exam-style questions and 17 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 4 of 14 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

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What happened to Humayun and why does it matter?

Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun at Kannauj (1540), forcing 15 years of exile at the Safavid Persian court. Humayun reconquered Delhi in 1555 but died in 1556. His Persian exile brought important artistic and cultural influences into the Mughal court.

What was Akbar's Rajput policy?

Akbar married Rajput Hindu princesses (including Jodha Bai of Amer) and appointed Rajput nobles as senior military commanders and court officials. This turned potential enemies into loyal allies, giving the Muslim Mughal emperor a strong Hindu power base.

Later Mughals: Magnificence and Overstretch, 1605–1707

Practice questions for The Mughal Empire, 1526-1707

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14 questions on The Mughal Empire, 1526-1707: practise free