|---|---|---|
| 1526-1530 | Babur | Founding of the Mughal Empire: Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, invades India and defeats the Lodi dynasty at the Battle of Panipat. |
| 1530-1556 | Humayun | Humayun's Reign: Humayun succeeds his father Babur, but is later defeated by Sher Shah Suri. He regains the throne with the help of the Safavid dynasty of Persia. |
| 1556-1605 | Akbar | Akbar's Reign: Akbar is considered one of the greatest Mughal emperors. He expands the empire to its greatest extent, introduces a new system of administration, and promotes religious tolerance. |
| 1605-1627 | Jahangir | Jahangir's Reign: Jahangir succeeds his father Akbar and continues his policies of religious tolerance and cultural synthesis. He marries Nur Jahan, who becomes a powerful figure in the empire. |
| 1627-1658 | Shah Jahan | Shah Jahan's Reign: Shah Jahan is known for his architectural achievements, including the Taj Mahal, which he builds in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. He also expands the empire into Central Asia. |
| 1658-1707 | Aurangzeb | Aurangzeb's Reign: Aurangzeb is the last great Mughal emperor. He expands the empire further, but his policies of religious intolerance lead to widespread revolts. He dies in 1707, and the Mughal Empire begins to decline. |
| 1707-1857 | Decline and Fall of the Mughal Empire: After Aurangzeb's death, the Mughal Empire enters a period of decline. The empire is weakened by internal conflicts, foreign invasions, and the rise of regional powers. In 1857, the British East India Company defeats the Mughals in the Battle of Delhi, marking the end of the Mughal Empire. |