Medieval American Imperialism

Both Mughal India and Early Modern Japan were ruled by effective leaders, although they had very different ruling techniques. Both countries leaders successfully ended years of conflict within the countries. Babur of India and Tokugawa of Japan were both incredible war heroes who used their victories to gain power. While both countries were improved by their rulers, the people in power of these two countries ruled in completely different ways. Akbar, ruler of Mughal, was very relaxed when it came to ruling the people of India, while Tokugawa of Japan chose to rule with an iron fist. Akbar was very lax when it came to the religions of his people, yet Tokugawa was intolerant of other’s beliefs and did not believe in freedom of religion. Akbar

Around 1500, Babur rose into military power and began capturing powerful cities within India. Babur first captured Kabul, which he made his capital, then went on to attack the Muslim and Hindu leaders of northern India. After numerous victories, Babur went on to seize Delhi and began the Mughal dynasty in 1526. This conquering of India eventually reunited South Asia after thousands of years of war. After Babur’s death, the Mughal dynasty was almost driven from power, but a new, powerful leader emerged. Akbar, Babur’s grandson, came into power around 1556 and managed to keep the Mughal dynasty in power. Around 1600, Japan had been caught up in a civil war for the last hundred years. However, Tokugawa, one of Japan’s greatest warlords, came into power and reunited the country. After his victory, he followed tradition and decided to leave the emperor in charge, but deemed himself shogun. During this period, the emperor was merely a façade for the people, and the shoguns were the ones who held all the power. Tokugawa created his own dynasty in which Edo was the

Indian rulers used to collect a tax called karmi, which took money from Hindu pilgrims traveling to the holy shrines. Akbar thought this tax was unnecessary and abolished it; he believed this tax was an obstacle between the people and God. Akbar also remitted the jizya, a poll tax on Non-Muslims because no one should be persecuted for their religious beliefs. Akbar proved his tolerance of other religions when Padre Farmaliun, a Roman Catholic priest, visited the Imperial court. Upon his arrival the priest was greeted with open arms and welcomed with much distinction. Padre Farmaliun was a man of learning and eloquence; Akbar revered him so much he placed a few young men under him for