The Mughal Empire Founded

On April 21, 1526, Zahir ud-Din Muhammad Babur, a Central Asian prince of Timurid and Chagatai descent, defeated Sultan Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat with a smaller but technologically superior force employing gunpowder artillery — the first significant use of firearms in Indian warfare. This victory established the Mughal Empire, which under Babur's grandson Akbar (r. 1556–1605) would become one of history's most powerful states. Akbar created a syncretic culture: he abolished the jizya tax on Hindus, married Rajput princesses, patronized Sanskrit learning, and established Din-i-Ilahi — an eclectic spiritual tradition. The Mughal Empire at its peak under Aurangzeb (1658–1707) ruled over 150 million people and produced a quarter of global GDP. Its architectural legacy includes the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri.