Mughal Empire – Sources

Literary Sources
The literary sources of the period are numerous indeed. They range from the autobiographies of
emperors to musical compositions of the day and are alive with vitality and truth. Tuzuk-I-Baburi or the
Memoirs of Babur is an autobiographical piece in Turk language by Babur In spite of certain time-gaps, it
is a primary source for Babur‟s activities. The Emperor did not hesitate to record with great frankness
his weaknesses as well as great merits. It is of great use in determining with accuracy many points in
Babur‟s life as well as the early life of Humayun. “The Memoirs of Babur has been reckoned among the
most enthralling and romantic works in the literature of all time”.

The Tarikh-i-Rashidi, a Persian work, written by Mirza Muhammad, is a valuable source material on the
period of Babur and Humayun.

Habib-us-Siyar and Humayun-nama, written by Khvand Amir, are interesting accounts about the entire
reign of Babur and the first three years of the rule of Humayun.

The Humayun-nama of GulbadanBegam, the daughter of Babur, is an authority on Humayun’s reign.

The Tazkirat-ul –Waqiat of JauharAftabchi (a Personal valet of Humayun) is a noteworthy book
throwing light on almost all facets of Humayun’s life.

The Tarikh-i-Humayun written by Bayazid is an important source material for the study of Humayun and
Akbar Among the works on Akbar’s reign special mention must be made about Tarikh-i-Akbar Shahi by
Qandahari, Abul-Fazl's ---Akbar-nama, Ain-i-Akbari, Ruqat-Abul-Fazl, and Insha-i-Abul-Fazl, Tabaqat-i-
Firishta by Mulla Muhammad Qasim Hindu Shah, Tarikh-i-Haqqi by Abdul-Haqq, etc. These works
supplement each other and are invaluable in the reconstruction of Akbar‟s rule. They have a ring of
authenticity and their veracity is not much doubted.

The Tarikh –i-Sher-Shahi written by Abbas Sarwani deals with the reign of Sher Shah Sur.

The autobiography of Jahangir, Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, constitutes an important source material for Akbar‟s
last years, Jahangir’s own rule, and the early life of Shah Jahan. The Emperor is very frank in narrating
the events of his time and though sometimes he “suppresses inconvenient truths”, his autobiography is
greatly helpful to the student of Mughal period.

Mutamid Khan’s Iqbal-nama and Muhammad Hadi‟s Tatimma Waqiat-i-fahangiri are very useful for
the reign of Jahangir.

Shah Jahan period is covered by a number of chronicles, books. AminaiQazvini‟s Padshah-nama, Abdul
Hamid Lahauri’s Padshah-nama. Inayat Khan‟s Shahjahan-nama, are very interesting narrations about
the reign of Shah Jahan.
For the last of the great Mughals, Aurangzeb, we have Alamgir-nama by Mirza Muhammad Kazim,
Maair-i-Alamgiri by Muhammad SaqiMustaid Khan, etc., are important source books.

Apart from chronological accounts of the activities of the Emperors, many official works on provincial
administration and statistical details also abound. While many chronicles glorify the deeds of the
emperors it cannot be denied that a fair picture of the sequence of events and various details of the
administration can be called out and arranged in a proper manner. The royal grants and orders
constitute yet another important source material for the period. There are large collections of poems
written during the period which throw light on the economic, social and religious conditions of the time.
Countless literary works on the lives of great men and saints also portray the life of the people in
general.

It may also be mentioned that works in Sanskrit and local languages also form an important part in the
unravelling of Mughal life.

Archaeological Sources
Almost all the archaeological sources are catalogued and the notable remains have been critically
analysed and put in proper shape. Exhaustive works on the numismatic sources also supplement the
work of archaeological surveys. Edward Thomas, Lane-Poole, Nelson, Whitehead, Dames, Rodgers and
others have rendered great service in proper collection and explanation of numismatic evidences. The
architectural remains of the age testify to the excellence reached by the great Mughals. Huge palaces,
big forts, great mausoleums, dream like cities like FathpurSikri, etc., are shining examples of Mughal
architecture and form a valuable clue to the unfolding of Mughal drama. Babur’s mighty structures have
been ravaged by time but his tomb at Kabul is a magnificent one.

Akbar, a great builder, left permanent imprint in the architecture of FathpurSikri, described as a
“romance in stone, inconceivable and impossible at any other time or in any other circumstances”.

TajMahal built by Shah Jahan, one of the wonders of the world, is rapturously admired by one and all
and bears eloquent testimony to the art and architecture of his times.

The Mughal painting which reached its highest watermark during Jahangir’s reign also testifies to the
extraordinary achievements in the field of fine arts by the Mughals.

The works of Percy Brown and Moti Chand throw a flood of light on the technique of Mughal painting.

Accounts of Foreign Visitors

A large number of foreign travellers visited India during the 16th , 17th and 18th centuries. Their writings
also constitute an important source material for the Mughal period. Though not all that is contained in
the accounts of these visitors can be accepted in to, nonetheless they supplement to the indigenous
material in many respects, Among the noteworthy accounts are Travels of Ralph Fitch;

Early Travels in India of W.Hawkins, Finch, Withington , Coryat, W.Terry;

The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to India (1615 -19) (edited by W.Foster);
the Travels of Peter Mundy;

Travels in the Mogul Empire (1656 -1688) by Bernier (edited by A. Constable );

Travels in India by J.B Tavernier, etc.

These accounts align with a host of similar accounts deal not only with the court but also with the
habits, customs and attitudes of people in general. As Prof. Srivastava points out “these accounts cannot
be accepted at their face-value, for some of them are mere bazar gossip, and certain others are vitiated
on account of their racial, religious and national prejudices”. Nevertheless,. These accounts do serve as
an important source of information for the Mughal period.