Ap World History Research Paper

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Between 1450 and 1750, much of India was under the control of the Mughal Empire. During this time period, a significant change was that India introduced new art into its society. However, a major continuity was that India continued to have a predominantly Hindu population. It also continued to have a strong agricultural economy that helped fund its land-based military. A significant change in India during this period was the development of art. This was mostly because of Akbar’s patronage of the arts, which led to a period of great Mughal achievement in painting, crafts, and architecture. At the beginning of this period, art did not play a big role in Indian society. Mughal artists combined elements from various cultures, including Persian…show more content…
Architects combined domes and arches of Islamic tradition with Indian styles, particularly ornamentation, carved columns, and sculpted elephants. Akbar established a school of miniature painting in India where Persian painting style was infused with Indian culture. Another example of new art in this period is the construction of Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s capital from 1569 to 1585. The crowning achievement of Mughal art was the construction of the Taj Mahal, which was built by Akbar’s grandson Shah Jahan in the 1630s for his wife. As a blend of Persian, Islamic, and Indian styles, it reflects the diverse population of the empire. While Aurangzeb halted the development of the arts, much of the Mughal art remained as a legacy. Elsewhere in other parts of the world, wealth in other states prompted the development and patronage of the arts. This was especially so in the Italian city-states, such as…show more content…
The Muslim aristocracy was a minority to the mostly non-Muslim population. To govern such a diverse population, Babur’s grandson Akbar, who ruled from 1556 to 1605, practiced religious tolerance and inclusion. This contrasted with the sultans of the Delhi Sultanate, who had used force to control their non-Muslim subjects at the beginning of this period. Akbar abolished the tax on non-Muslims and gave Hindus positions in the government. He even married Hindu women. As he was generally curious about other religions, he built a hall for religious discussions. India thrived under Akbar’s religious policies. However, Akbar’s great-grandson Aurangzeb abandoned these policies and began persecuting non-Muslims. He brought back extra taxes on Hindus and instigated feelings of unrest. The Sikhs, in particular, began organizing rebellions and an anti-Muslim movement. This, in conjunction with the distrust of other non-Muslim groups, led to instability and decline in the Mughal Empire. Overall, despite the fact that many rulers were Muslim, India’s population consisted of a Hindu

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