Innovations

• Military: The Mughals used cavalry, war elephants, and gunpowder, making their warfare more mobile than the northern Indian sultans, who relied heavily on war elephants.
• Babur introduced matchlock muskets and cannons to Hindustan, allowing him to defeat Sultan Lodi’s 100,000 strong army with just 20,000 men at the Battle of Panipat in 1526.
• Art & Architecture: The Mughal period produced beautiful art. Handwritten books and poetry were decorated with detailed miniature paintings, borders and designs, showing life in the Mughal court and empire.
• The Mughals didn’t just copy Central Asian architecture in India. They blended Hindu art - like detailed figures and animals - with Islamic patterns that were very symmetrical and geometric. Their buildings were colourful and decorated with precious stones set into the walls.
• Religion: The Mughals were Muslims ruling over mostly Hindus. For most of their rule, they let Hindus hold important government and military jobs. Non-muslims didn’t have to follow Islamic law until Aurangzeb became emperor.