The Mughal Empire at its zenith under Akbar, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb. Dalrymple presents the Mughals as one of history's greatest civilizations — wealthier than contemporary Europe, architecturally magnificent, and culturally sophisticated.
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Highlights
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India was the world's richest region for most of recorded history
In 1700, Mughal India produced 25% of world GDP — more than all of Europe combined. The narrative of Indian poverty is a colonial artifact; pre-colonial India was spectacularly wealthy.
Religious tolerance as a source of imperial strength
Akbar's policy of religious tolerance — sulh-i-kull (peace to all) — created a stable empire by incorporating Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Jain elites. Aurangzeb's reversal of this policy began the Mughal decline.