<P> The instability of the empire became evident under his son, Humayun (reigned 1530--1556), who was driven out of India and into Persia by rebels . The Sur Empire (1540--1555), founded by Sher Shah Suri (reigned 1540--1545), briefly interrupted Mughal rule . Humayun's exile in Persia established diplomatic ties between the Safavid and Mughal Courts, and led to increasing Persian cultural influence in the Mughal Empire . The restoration of Mughal rule began after Humayun's triumphant return from Persia in 1555, but he died from a fatal accident shortly afterwards . </P> <P> Akbar the Great (reigned 1556--1605) was born Jalal - ud - din Muhammad in the Rajput Umarkot Fort, to Humayun and his wife Hamida Banu Begum, a Persian princess . Akbar succeeded to the throne under a regent, Bairam Khan, who helped consolidate the Mughal Empire in India . Through warfare and diplomacy, Akbar was able to extend the empire in all directions and controlled almost the entire Indian subcontinent north of the Godavari River . He created a new class of nobility loyal to him from the military aristocracy of India's social groups, implemented a modern government, and supported cultural developments . At the same time, Akbar intensified trade with European trading companies . India developed a strong and stable economy, leading to commercial expansion and economic development . Akbar allowed free expression of religion, and attempted to resolve socio - political and cultural differences in his empire by establishing a new religion, Din - i - Ilahi, with strong characteristics of a ruler cult . He left his successors an internally stable state, which was in the midst of its golden age, but before long signs of political weakness would emerge . </P> <P> Jahangir (born Salim, reigned 1605--1627) was born to Akbar and his wife Mariam - uz - Zamani, an Indian Rajput princess . Jahangir ruled the empire at its peak, but he was addicted to opium, neglected the affairs of the state, and came under the influence of rival court cliques . Shah Jahan (reigned 1628--1658) was born to Jahangir and his wife Jagat Gosaini, a Rajput princess . During the reign of Shah Jahan, the culture and splendour of the luxurious Mughal court reached its zenith as exemplified by the Taj Mahal . The maintenance of the court, at this time, began to cost more than the revenue . </P> <P> Shah Jahan's eldest son, the liberal Dara Shikoh, became regent in 1658, as a result of his father's illness . However, a younger son, Aurangzeb (reigned 1658--1707), allied with the Islamic orthodoxy against his brother, who championed a syncretistic Hindu - Muslim culture, and ascended to the throne . Aurangzeb defeated Dara in 1659 and had him executed . Although Shah Jahan fully recovered from his illness, Aurangzeb declared him incompetent to rule and had him imprisoned . During Aurangzeb's reign, the empire gained political strength once more . Aurangzeb expanded the empire to include almost the whole of South Asia, but at his death in 1707, many parts of the empire were in open revolt . Aurangzeb is considered India's most controversial king, with some historians arguing his religious conservatism and intolerance undermined the stability of Mughal society, while other historians question this, noting that he built Hindu temples, employed significantly more Hindus in his imperial bureaucracy than his predecessors did, opposed bigotry against Hindus and Shia Muslims, and married Hindu Rajput princess Nawab Bai . </P>

When did the mughal empire reach its peak