Mughal jihad : blood, soul and brain

Abstract

My research thesis discusses the evolution of the perception and use of jihad in the Mughal context. Specifically, I focus on the first four Mughal emperors, namely Babur, Humayun, Akbar and Jahangir in chronological order. The key research question is how did the perception and use of jihad evolve from the reign of Babur, the first Mughal emperor to Jahangir, the fourth? Thus, my thesis studies the specific uses of the term by the four emperors respectively. Furthermore, it covers the motivations behind the uses of jihad and my thesis utilizes Mughal autobiographical works to do so. Adding to that, I study the evolution and changes in the uses and perception of the said term across the four ruling periods. The specific time-period is from 1526 till 1627.