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Emperor

Birth

Reign Period

Death

Notes

Zaheeruddin Muhammad Babur

Feb 23, 1483

1526–1530

Dec 26, 1530

Founder of the Mughal Dynasty.

Nasiruddin Muhammad Humayun

Mar 6, 1508

1530–1540

Jan 1556

Reign interrupted by Suri Dynasty. Youth and inexperience at ascension led to his being regarded as a less effective ruler than usurper, Sher Shah Suri.

Sher Shah Suri

1472

1540–1545

May 1545

Deposed Humayun and led the Suri Dynasty.

Islam Shah Suri

c.1500

1545–1554

1554

2nd and last ruler of the Suri Dynasty, claims of sons Sikandar and Adil Shah were eliminated by Humayun's restoration.

Nasiruddin Muhammad Humayun

Mar 6, 1508

1555–1556

Jan 1556

Restored rule was more unified and effective than initial reign of 1530-1540; left unified empire for his son, Akbar.

Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar

Nov 14, 1542

1556–1605

Oct 27, 1605

Akbar greatly expanded the Empire and is regarded as the most illustrious ruler of the Mughal Dynasty as he set up the empire's various institutions; he married Mariam-uz-Zamani, a Rajput princess. He eventually founded Din-i-Ilahi, a syncretic religion based on Hinduism and Islam. One of his most famous construction marvels was the Lahore Fort.

Nooruddin Muhammad Jahangir

Oct 1569

1605–1627

1627

Jahangir set the precedent for sons rebelling against their Emperor fathers. Opened first relations with the British East India Company. Reportedly was an alcoholic and his wife Empress Noor Jahan became the real power behind the throne and competently ruled in his place.

Shahaabuddin Muhammad Shah Jahan

Jan 5, 1592

1627–1658

1666

Under him, Mughal art and architecture reached their zenith; constructed the Taj Mahal, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Jahangir mausoleum and Shalimar Gardens in Lahore. Deposed and imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb.

Mohiuddin Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir

Oct 21, 1618

1658–1707

Mar 3, 1707

More conservative in behavior and far less extravagant as the previous emperors; brought back Islamic law, and the jizya tax. He is well-known for his personal piety and for leading an extremely simple and pious life. His conquests expanded the empire to its greatest extent, incorporating much of southern India. A major and last desperate attempt was also made to conquer Assam during his rule but with no success at Battle of Saraighat; the over-stretched empire would face challenges after his death. He wrote the Qur'an in his own Handwriting twice.

Bahadur Shah I

Oct 14, 1643

1707–1712

Feb 1712

First of the Mughal emperors to preside over a steady and severe decline in the territories under the empire's control and military power. After his reign, the emperor became a progressively insignificant figurehead.

Jahandar Shah

1664

1712–1713

Feb 1713

He was merely a puppet in the hands of his Chief Minister Zulfikar Khan. The acts of Jahandar Shah brought down the prestige of the Mughal Empire.

Furrukhsiyar

1683

1713–1719

1719

In 1717 he granted a firman to the English East India Company granting them duty free trading rights for Bengal, and confirmed their position in India.

Rafi Ul-Darjat

Unknown

1719

1719

Rafi Ud-Daulat
a.k.a Shah Jahan II

Unknown

1719

1719

Nikusiyar

Unknown

1719

1743

Muhammad Ibrahim

Unknown

1720

1744

Muhammad Shah

1702

1719–1720, 1720–1748

1748

Suffered the invasion of Nadir-Shah of Persia in 1739.

Ahmad Shah Bahadur

1725

1748-54

1754

Alamgir II

1699

1754–1759

1759

Shah Jahan III

Unknown

In 1759

1770s

Shah Alam II

1728

1759–1806

1806

Suffered the invasion of Ahmed-Shah-Abdali in 1761; granted the 'Nizami' of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to the BEIC in 1765, formally accepted the protection of the BEIC in 1803.

Akbar Shah II

1760

1806–1837

1837

Titular figurehead under British protection

Bahadur Shah Zafar

1775

1837–1857

1862

Deposed by the British and exiled to Burma