Stephanie Honchell Smith: The rise and fall of the Mughal Empire

The rise and fall of the Mughal Empire

Though he was descended from some of the world's most successful conquerors, Babur struggled to gain a foothold among the many other ambitious princes in Central Asia. So he turned his attention to India, where his descendants stayed and built the Mughal Empire. Stephanie Honchell Smith details the rise and fall of one of the wealthiest and most powerful states in the early modern world. [Directed by Raghav Arumugam, Jagriti Khirwar, narrated by Alexandra Panzer, music by Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio].

The Mughal Empire rose from Babur's tactical victory in 1526, when cannon fire startled war elephants and changed the course of battle. Over centuries, the empire became home to nearly a quarter of the world’s people, famous for dazzling wealth, architectural marvels, and religious debates. Longevity and stability were shaped by strategic alliances, visionary rulers, and a multiethnic society. Yet, succession struggles, regional rebellions, and colonial ambitions ultimately brought the empire to an end.