Planning for Historical Enquiry: The Mughal Empire

Planning for Historical Enquiry: The Mughal Empire

This unit confronts some of the fundamental issues that face history teachers in planning a rigorous and engaging sequence of lessons. The unit models important stages in the planning process and the four activities relating to these stages could be used as professional development in a history department. The unit focuses on the Mughal Empire as a context for firing pupils' curiosity and imagination.

How does a study of the Mughal Empire fit into the new programme of study?

The revised statement on the importance of history emphasises that history encourages mutual understanding of the historic origins of our ethnic and cultural diversity. It also states that history enables pupils to investigate Britain's relationship with the wider world, and to relate past events to the present day. In the specific context of the British Empire, the new programme of study emphasises the importance of recognising the cultures, beliefs and achievements of societies prior to European colonisation.

Why study the Mughal Empire?

There are a number of reasons why you may wish to include a study of the Mughal Empire in your key stage 3 curriculum.

Activity 1

Which of these reasons strike you as particularly important?

* The Mughal Empire was the greatest of the Muslim empires of the early modern period. The Mughal Emperor ruled over an estimated 100 million people at a time when Elizabeth I ruled over a population of 3 million.

* The history of the Mughal Empire is full of drama, diversity, big ideas and phenomenal creativity. It has enormous potential to fire pupils' curiosity and imagination.

* The Mughal Empire was an extraordinary Indo-Islamic synthesis. Some of its rulers attempted to create a tolerant and pluralist society which embraced all religions. A study of the Mughal Empire can encourage pupils to consider fundamental questions of identity and diversity.

* A study of the Mughal Empire is critical if pupils are to understand the diversity, tensions and achievements of modern India.

* For pupils of Asian origin, the Mughal Empire is a central part of their heritage and personal identity.

* The close, complex and long-lasting relationship between Britain and the Mughal Empire, and the significance of the Mughal Empire in world history, make it an important part of all our identities.

* No other dynasty in the Islamic world has left behind more comprehensive historical documentation than the Mughals. A rich array of written sources, art, buildings and artefacts provides a plethora of learning resources.

* A study of the Mughal Empire offers rich possibilities for linking to other subject areas such as art, RE, geography and citizenship.

How might we decide what aspects of the Mughal Empire to cover?

Having decided that the Mughal Empire is simply too significant, wonderful and fascinating to leave out of the key stage 3 curriculum, your first challenge is to wrestle with the content. From the rich and complex history of the Mughal Empire how do you decide what to put in and what to leave out?

Activity 2

The table below shows some areas of content that might be included in a study of the Mughal Empire. Some of these areas are quite precise (e.g. the Battle of Panipat) while others are more open (e.g. the nature of Mughal power). The thirty different aspects are not exhaustive and you may wish to add ideas of your own.

* Which aspects do you consider essential?

* Which aspects would you leave out?

* How might you begin to group the aspects to create a focus for learning?

* Most importantly, what criteria are you using to make your decisions?

Areas of content to consider for inclusion within a study of the Mughal Empire

The Mughal economy - farming and trade

Jahan and the building of the Taj Mahal

Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, 1526-1530

The Battle of Panipat,, 1526

Mughal art

Akbar the Great, 1556-1605

Life at the Mughal court

Mughal warfare

The battle between Dara Shikoh and Auranzgeb

The nature of Mughal power

Akbar's conferences on religion

The emperor at work

Akbar's 'city of dreams' - Fatehpur Sikri

The reign of Humayan, 1530-40/1555-56

The emperor at play

Mughal architecture

The reign of Jahangir, 1605-1627

Elizabeth l and Akbar

European visitors

Women at the Mughal court

The Mughal cities: Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri

The reign of Aurangzeb, 1659-1707

Mughal relations with England's East India Company

The Imperial Harem

The daily lives and beliefs of the amirs (noblemen)

The daily lives and beliefs of the artisans and peasants

Mughal justice

Mughal