Babur established Mughal empire in c. 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodhi at the Battle of Panipat. After that number of changes were brought by Mughals in state system in India. The technological advancement took a major step during Mughal empire. Although Babur didn’t get enough time for making changes in state system but rulers like Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan etc. made significant changes in state system which made Mughal empire strongest among the Muslim ruled states.
These Karkhanas were maintained by state for fulfil the basic needs of state. Trade during the Mughal period reported remarkable achievement.
Also Read : Deccan Policy of Later Mughals
Religious Policy of Emperor Akbar
Land Revenue System of Delhi Sultanate
Mughal Karkhanas
Karkhanas were basically state-owned factories which produce low-cost materials of daily needs and focused on invention of new technologies as well. During the reign of Akbar, Diwan-i-Buyutut was the in-charge of royal Karkhanas and it was known as Mir-i-Saman during the reign of Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Best craftsmen were employed in these Karkhanas, directly sent by provincial governors.
Daroga was another official at Karkhanas who was specialized in a particular type of craft. Senior craftsmen working in Karkhanas were known as Ustad and their sub-ordinates as Shagird. The account of every karkhana was maintained by accountant, known as Mushrif who was responsible for maintain all records of inputs and outputs of a particular Karkhana. The contemporary sources revealed that six different types of Karkhanas were functioned during Mughal age.
First Karkhana was for royal palace needs. Second karkhana was for fulfil the needs of king’s court. Another karkhana was there for military needs. There was karkhana for fulfilling the needs of different departments of the state. There two more types of Karkhanas; first for goods used by animals and another was to replenish emergency stores. Karkhanas were also maintained by Nobles and Zamindars for fulfilling their basic needs. Thus, Karkhanas played significant role in boosting the Mughal period economy.
Trade Revolution of 16th– 17th Century
During the period number of socio-political factors helped in flourishing the trade and commerce during the Mughal period. The establishment of empire provide political unification to India. The technological progress witnessed in 17th century gave a boost to industries and art & culture, for example, Royal Karkhanas contributed immensely in boosting economy.
The progress in the field of agriculture was due to inventions like Rehat and new revenue and measurement system. the discovery of direct sea route from India to Europe gave a boost to Indian trade and commerce because the arrival of Portuguese shattered the monopoly of Arabs. The Portuguese traders carried huge amount of Indian goods to Europe.
Mughals issued large number of coins of gold, silver and copper, and hence, the monetization of economy boosted the trade and commerce in India. The active role of rulers played significant role in giving boosting the trade and commerce and bringing revolutionary progress. Mughals issued number of Farmans (royal grants) through which concessions were granted to Portuguese traders.
Thus, the establishing of Mughal empire in 16th bring number of positive results for the Indian economy and in other field as well like of art and culture, architecture, socio-cultural development. Â Â