The Rise and Fall of the Mughal Empire
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- Start Date: 28 Jun 2025End Date: 28 Jun 2025Sat (Daytime): 10:30 - 16:30In PersonFull fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £45.00
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What is the course about?
Until the late 1600s, the Muslim Mughal Emperors of India were by reputation promoters of peace, religious
tolerance, and patrons of art, literature, science and architecture, leading to the creation of Persian influenced,
iconic sites like the Lahore Fort and Taj Mahal. The era also witnessed a remarkable acceleration in the population
growth of India and the expansion of India’s trading powers, and by the early 1700s India contributed approximately 25% of the global cloth trade. On this one-day workshop we will explore Mughal military innovations; administrative policies and the role of Hindus in Mughal administration; the myths and reality of the Emperors’ courts and lifestyle; science, culture and language; the significance of religion, religious tolerance and the rise of rival Indian powers; and the impact of European trading and political expansion, including the transference to British Crown rule in 1858. What led the last Emperor, Bahadur Shah II, to describe himself as ‘a handful of dust, that’s all?’.
What will we cover?
• Foundations: military and administrative expansion in northern India
• Trade & wealth: textile manufacturing, indigo, salt and tobacco
• Life at the court of the Mughal Emperors
• Culture: literature, language and architecture
• Science and the observatories
• Religion, religious tolerance and religious persecution
• Rival Empire builders: The Marathas, Europeans & British expansion in India.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Evaluate the significance of military and administrative expansion by the Mughal Emperors in India
• Assess the contribution of the Mughal emperors to science & the arts
• Recognise the importance of religious tolerance, how it varied according to the policies implemented by different
rulers, and the impact it had on social stability in India
• Evaluate the significance of the East India Company & expansion of European/British trading and political power in
India on the Mughal Empire.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior knowledge required and everyone is welcome. However, a good standard of reading, writing and speaking English is essential. As with all of our courses curiosity, an open mind, and willingness to engage in any class debates, discussions and activities is more important than any particular skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
PowerPoint will be used to illustrate key points. You will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas in a relaxed and friendly environment. Reading is encouraged but is not obligatory.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no other expenses other than note-taking materials. You are not expected to purchase any reading material.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HWH65 Indian Women and the Raj
HWH171 Partition in India and Pakistan.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.