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].

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

The rise and fall of the Mughal Empire

Babur's cannons spooked war elephants in 1526, turning a battle tide and laying foundations for the Mughal Empire's rise.

Akbar's inclusive governance, marrying a Hindu and translating the Mahabharata, fused a diverse empire, showcasing leadership finesse.

The Mughal's architectural feats, like the Taj Mahal, symbolize their zenith, yet their decline began with Aurangzeb's death in 1707.