Now available in paperback, this is a comprehensive history of the Mughal empire. Contains many superb illustrations The Mughal empire (1526 1857) has long been viewed as a wonderland of unimaginable treasure; it was in fact the mightiest Islamic empire in the history of India. This book describes the political, military and economic rise of the Mughals, their system of rule, and their gradual collapse, finally supplanted by the British colonial empire in 1857. Foreword 7(2) Francis Robinson Editorial Notes 9(3) Map of the Mughal Empire 12(1) The Mughal Dynasty 13(2) Prologue 15(6) Historical Introduction 21(44) At Court 65(16) The Empire 81(26) Religion 107(36) Women at Court 143(24) The Imperial Household and Housekeeping 167(58) The Life of a Mirza 225(4) Languages and Literature 229(34) The Arts 263(36) Epilogue 299(5) References 304(19) Glossary 323(8) Bibliography 331(12) Photographic Acknowledgements 343(2) Index 345