Category History

Genghis Khan, the Great Khan (emperor), founded the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history of the world after his death. He united Mongol tribes to improve their chances in battles. He had power over more of the world than any other conqueror in history. Despite his ferocity, the areas he ruled were given freedom of religion and were allowed to use efficient trade routes. By the end of his life, the Mongol Empire had occupied a considerable part of Central Asia and China. After his death the Mongolian empire was ruled by his son, Ogedei Khan, and grandson, Kubilai Khan. 

 The Mongols were a Central Asian ethnic group living on the Mongolian Plateau and were considered to be barbarians and savages. Today, the Mongolian Plateau is divided into independent Mongolia, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China, and Buryatia Republic of Russia. They were highly disciplined and experts in using the bow and arrow on horseback. Stretching from Vietnam to Hungary, the Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan, is the largest contiguous empire in the history of the world. 

The Red Fort was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in Old Delhi that served as the capital of the Mughals until 1857. For nearly 200 years, it was the centre of Shah Jahan’s empire where he led a life known of great pomp and ceremony. He would make public appearances, called ‘darshan’, from a large balcony, receive public petitions in the Diwan-I-Am, review important state matters with his principal ministers in the Diwan-I-Khas, discuss the most secret affairs with his kin and most trusted officers in the Royal Tower or Shah Burj, hold lively gatherings and feasts, and then retire to his bedchambers for the night. This fort was the greatest of Mughal palaces and was the heart of Shah Jahan’s empire. 

The Mughal emperor Akbar came to power when he was just 13 years, following the death of his father Humayun. Akbar, under the guidance of his mentor Bairam Khan, expanded his territory throughout northern India and Afghanistan. Although he was not a great warrior, he was tolerant to other religions and was a very fair ruler. He succeeded at winning the trust and support of the entire Hindu population under his control. During his reign, he abolished two taxes: Jizya, a tax imposed on most of the non-Muslims, and a ‘pilgrimage tax’ paid by Hindus who travelled to various Hindu pilgrimage sites. He instituted many administrative reforms which were used throughout the Mughal period. 

Akbar was a great patron of artists and intellectuals. His passion for knowledge attracted many great minds to his court. The best of these courtiers were known as the nine ‘jewels’ of King Akbar or ‘Navratnas’. Abul-Fazel was Akbar’s chief advisor and author of Akbarnama, Faizi was a poet laureate, Miyan Tansen was a legendary musician, Birbal was known for great wit, Raja Todar Mal was Akbar’s finance minister, Raja Man Singh was Akbar’s trusted general and Commander-in-chief, Abdul Rahim Khan-l-Khana was a poet and the son of Akbar’s trusted mentor, Bairam Khan. The mystic Fakir Aziao-Din and Mullah Do Piaza were both advisors to the Emperor. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Babylonians lived in Mesopotamia, the land between the two rivers, Euphrates and Tigris in Iraq. They followed the advanced cultures of the Sumerians and the Assyrians. In 1700 BC, King Hammurabi passed strict laws here and ruled his kingdom with a strong hand. Around 1100 years later, King Nebuchadnezzar II made the capital city of Babylon as one of the most powerful trade centres. It lay on both sides of Euphrates, had buildings with up to four storeys, and was surrounded by an 18 km long thick wall. The Tower of Babel, which he built, is mentioned even in the Old Testament of the Bible.

 

Individual settlements became cities when humans were able to produce more food than needed. The population also increased, so more artisans were needed. With the construction of palaces for rulers and huge temples, the cities became important centres in which writers, officers, soldiers, and priests lived and had a lot of influence on people. The oldest cities whose remains have been found are Jericho in Palestine (around 9000 BC) and Catal Huyuk in Turkey (around 6000 BC). 

Advanced civilizations are societies that started thinking about a lot of other things than just simply gathering food very early in time. They had cities, an administration, and a division of work among the people. Advanced civilizations developed the calendar and laid the foundation for many sciences. A total of 25 advanced civilizations include those of the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians in Mesopotamia—what we today know as Iraq—Egypt, Persia, China, the Indus valley civilization, several cultures on the American continent, and the Minoan in Europe. 

In the Stone Age, humans chipped off splinters from Flintstones with a hard stone and shaped them to make hand axes, spears, and arrow tips or sickles. They then observed that metal ran out of a greenish-blue stone in fire, which led to the creation of copper. In the Near East, copper and zinc were melted since the 4th century BC to make hard bronze, which became the most important material for tools, weapons, and jewellery. Bronze became known in Europe later. The Bronze Age was followed by the Iron Age. Although iron was more difficult to make, it was harder than bronze. 

Humans had been observing how new plants grew from seeds for long time. They used this knowledge about 10,000 years ago and sowed seeds of plants which they could get with difficulty. Simple cultivation devices were made from wood and stone. When the crops became bigger, humans settled down near the fields and created reserves. Instead of looking for food, they now improved the tools and the weapons. As a result handicraft was born, which changed their life style. This period is known as the ‘Neolithic Revolution’.