IndiaA

India Period 2



Before the arrival of the Mughals, we were split up between the Delhi Sultanate, and various other independent Hindu Kings including the Rajput. The Mughal emperors first arrived to conquer us in ca. 1520 under the reign of Babur. Babur continued to expand into India; however, his son Humayun was pushed back by the Pashtuns(Afghans). Finally in 1556 Humayun died in an accident and his son Akbar ascended the throne. Akbar ruled over us from 1556-1605. While under the rule of Akbar, we relentlessly expanded our borders in an attempt to gain new resources, killing everyone that stood in our way or challenged us. Many new capitals were built under the rule of Akbar, at places such as Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. We adopted new ways of taxation, having our administrators analyze the country down to the single villages, which then allowed us to evaluate how much the region should be taxed, thus leading to a more efficient method of taxation and also bringing the villages into a cash economy. Conquering various regions such as Gujarat, Bengal, and Kashmir gave us access to fertile soil, new cash crops and also ports(in the case of Gujarat). This influx of new items brought us a great amount of wealth. Our government also became more tolerant towards other religions. Akbar was a Muslim ruling a predominantly Hindu country. Instead of casting out these people, which most likely would have led to revolt, powerful religious leaders were given places within the government. In return for these offers, these leaders paid tribute to our government by giving the government troops and handing over their daughters to cement alliances with us. These alliances strengthened us enormously, as it consolidated all of the Mughal empire into one unified group. They also provided many troops which increased our martial power. We also became more tolerant towards other religions, such as Christianity and allowed Jesuits to speak and try to convert our people to their faith. But, more than 20 to 25 percent of our population converted to Islam.
 * Profile ** :
 * About Me **
 * Likes **
 * Freedom of religion, which was allowed throughout the empire. Akbar himself participated in many theological discussions in many religions. He even removed the Jizya, which was the tax on non-muslims, to show his support for other religions
 * Akbar allied with the various religious groups within India through matrimonial alliances and instating members of other religions into the nobility
 * Conquering the regions of Gujarat(1572), Bengal(1575), Kashmir(1586), Orissa, and Sind.
 * Cotton, indigo, rice, silk, and saltpeter, which came from the regions we conquered and were essential to benefiting our economy.
 * Movement of Muslims from Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia to the Mughal Empire. I granted many of these Muslims, positions within the royal court
 * Humanitarianism, Akbar abolished the policy of enslaving prisoners of war and converting them to Islam.
 * Communication, the development of the Urdu language facilitated communications between the Muslims and the Hindus.
 * The port of Gujarat, since it established our first connection with the European and also brought in enormous wealth from the many traders who passed through
 * Dislikes **
 * Cultural differences make it very difficult to maintain a unified empire
 * Overextension of empire by Aurangzeb
 * The various tribes that inhabited southern India. They provided a lot of resistance against our rule.
 * The Maratha Empire, who would fight with us from 1681 to 1707

** Status Updates **
** India ** Young Akbar becomes emperor of the Mughal Empire at 14, due to the death of his father. Like – Comment - 10:28 2/14/1556

** India ** Akbar has abolished the sectarian taxes on Hindus! We can now hold high military and civil positions. Like – Comment- 8:14 ?/??/1562

** Safavid Persia ** Abolishing your taxes on non-muslims is foolish. You should tax them or convert them, by force if necessary. Like – Comment - 7:45 ?/??/1562

** India ** We have strengthened alliances with the Rajputs with a marriage between Akbar and their princess, and appointing Hindis to administrative posts. Like – Comment

** India ** Our cultured library contains over 24,000 texts and volumes written in Persian, Hindi, Greek, Latin, Arabic, and Kashmiri langauges. Check them out! Like – Comment

** India ** Akbar's development of a bureaucracy and autonomic systems for the imperial provinces has been modeled on strong military hierarchy. Like – Comment

** India **Akbar has moved the capital near to Agra, in a location known as Fatehpur Sikri. A new magnificent city for the people and our great military! Like – Comment - 11:56 ?/??/1569

** India ** Akbar has conquered Gujarat, thus establishing our first connection to the sea, and also our first connection with the Europeans(Portugal) Like – Comment - 6:12 ?/??/1572 ** Portugal ** We welcome your presence within the Indian Ocean, and seek to establish diplomatic ties with you. Like – Comment - 8:16 ?/??/1572

** Ottoman Empire ** Your Muslims making the Hajj to Mecca are draining our resources, since they are poor. They should return home or you will suffer the consequences. Like – Comment - 8:16 ?/??/1580

** Safavid Persia ** Akbar establishing himself as the head of a semi- Muslim religion is heresy. Abolish the Din-i-Ilahi. Like – Comment 3:22 ?/??/1582

** Marathans ** Continue to push towards the southern end of the Deccan peninsula, and you will face us in battle Like – Comment

** India **The building of the Taj Mahal was finally completed today, in loving memory of Mumtaz Muhal. This beautiful, white marble building is a great place to come and worship. Like – Comment - 4:31 ?/??/1653