List Of Mughal Emperors In Order Of Years

Mughal Empire Kings

Period Of Ruling

Description

Babur

1526–1530

He was the founder of the Mughal Empire after his victories at the Battle of Panipat (1526) and the Battle of Khanwa.

Humayun

I- 1530–1540

II – 1555–1556

The rule was interrupted by the Suri Dynasty. Being young and inexperienced led him to be regarded as a less effective ruler than Sher Shah Suri, who defeated him and established the Suri Dynasty.

 The restored rule was more unified and effective than the initial reign of 1530–1540. He left the unified empire to his son, Akbar.

Akbar was one of the youngest rulers. He became a ruler at the age of 13.

1556–1605

He and Bairam Khan defeated Hemu during the Second Battle of Panipat and later won famous victories during the Siege of Chittorgarh and the Siege of Ranthambore. One of his most famous construction marvels was the Lahore Fort. He abolished the Jizyah tax imposed on Hindus.

To learn more about Akbar’s successors, check the article linked.

Jahangir

1605–1627

Opened relations with the British East India Company.

Shah Jahan

1628–1658

Born on 5th January 1592.

Under him, Mughal art and architecture reached their zenith.

He constructed the Taj Mahal, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Jahangir mausoleum, and Shalimar Gardens in Lahore. Died in the captivity of his son Aurangzeb.

Aurangzeb

1658–1707

He ascended the throne on 31st July 1658.

He reinterpreted Islamic law and presented the Fatawa-e-Alamgiri.

He captured the diamond mines of the Sultanate of Golconda, spent the major part of his last 27 years in the war with the Maratha rebels, and expanded the empire to its greatest extent.

Bahadur Shah I (also known as Muazzam/Shah Alam I)

1707–1712

After his reign, the empire went into a steady decline due to the lack of leadership qualities among his immediate successors. He released Shahuji, the Son of Shambuji, who was the elder son of Shivaji.

Jahandar Shah

1712–1713

He was an unpopular, incompetent titular figurehead.

Furrukhsiyar

1713–1719

His reign marked the ascendancy of the manipulative Syed Brothers and the execution of the rebel Banda. In 1717, he granted a Firman to the English East India Company, granting them duty-free trading rights for Bengal. The Firman was repudiated by the notable Murshid Quli Khan.

Rafi Ul-Darjat

1719

The 10th Mughal Emperor. He succeeded Furrukhsiyar, being proclaimed Badshah by the Syed Brothers.

Rafi Ud-Daulat

1719

He was the Mughal emperor for a brief period in 1719.

Muhammad Ibrahim (Claimant to the throne)

1720

Brother of Rafi Ul-Darjat

Attempted to seize the throne at the behest of the Syed Brothers to depose emperor Muhammad Shah

Muhammad Shah (also called Rangeela)

1719–1720

1720–1748

Got rid of the Syed Brothers. Counterred the emergence of the renegade Marathas and lost large tracts of the Deccan and Malwa in the process. Suffered the invasion of Nadir-Shah of Persia in 1739.

Ahmad Shah Bahadur

1748–1754

Son of Muhammad Shah. His Minister Safdarjung was responsible for the Mughal Civil War.  He was defeated at Sikandarabad by the Maratha Confederacy.

Alamgir II

1754–1759

He was murdered by a conspiracy of Imad-Ul-Mulk and his Maratha associate Sadashivrao Bhau.

Shah Jahan III

1759-1760

He was overthrown after the Third Battle of Panipat by Prince Mirza Jawan Bakht.

Shah Alam II

1760–1806

He is known to have fought against the British East India Company during the Battle of Buxar and reformed the Mughal Army under the command of Mirza Najaf Khan, He is thus known as one of the last effective Mughal Emperors.

Akbar Shah II

1806–1837

He designated Mir Fateh Ali Khan Talpur as the new Nawab of Sindh. Although he was under British protection, his imperial name was removed from the official coinage after a brief dispute with the British East India Company.

Bahadur Shah II

1837–1857

He was the last Mughal Emperor. He was deposed by the British and exiled to Burma following the Indian Rebellion of 1857.