The Mughal Empire began in 1526 with Babur’s conquest of northern India, held significant influence over the Punjab region for several centuries. The Mughals established their rule over Punjab as part of their larger empire, with the region serving as a vital political and strategic area due to its proximity to Central Asia and the subcontinent’s heartlands. However, the relationship between the Mughals and the Punjabi population was complex and often tense.

Punjab was a land of frequent conflict during the Mughal period, as the region saw both the rise of Mughal power and significant local resistance, particularly from the Sikh community. The Mughal rulers, who were not Punjabis themselves, often faced opposition from local populations in Punjab. This tension was amplified by their efforts to enforce religious ideas and political dominance (particularly under emperors like Aurangzeb, whose policies towards the Sikh community and non-Muslims were controversial). The oppressive measures, including the execution of Guru Arjan Dev and the persecution of Guru Gobind Singh's followers, were key moments that fuelled Sikh resistance and the rise of Sikhism as a distinct political and religious force in Punjab.

Under the Mughals, Punjab was governed as part of the larger imperial structure, with local rulers and military commanders often serving as vassals or governors. The region was a significant centre for Mughal administration and military operations, but the decline of central power in the late 17th and 18th centuries allowed local communities, including the Sikhs, to challenge Mughal authority. The decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century coincided with the rise of the Sikh Confederacy, which filled the power vacuum left by a weakening Mughal state.

Despite the imperial decline, the Mughals left an indelible mark on Punjab’s architecture, culture, and politics. The Mughal presence in the region resulted in the construction of iconic structures like the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore and the expansion of agricultural infrastructure. However, it also marked a period of oppression, resistance, and change, setting the stage for the rise of Punjabi sovereignty under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.