Ivan IV the Terrible vs Jahangir

Ivan IV was crowned Tsar of All Russia at the Dormition Cathedral in Moscow, adopting the title of tsar (Caesar). This marked the formal transformation of the Grand Principality of Moscow into the Tsardom of Russia.

Ivan IV led a campaign that captured the city of Kazan after a long siege. The annexation of the Kazan Khanate opened the Volga River to Russian expansion and marked the beginning of Russian imperialism in the east.

Ivan IV invaded Livonia (modern Latvia and Estonia) to gain access to the Baltic Sea. The war lasted 25 years and involved Poland-Lithuania, Sweden, and Denmark. It ended in Russian defeat with the Treaty of Yam-Zapolsky in 1582.

Ivan IV divided Russia into the oprichnina (his personal domain) and the zemshchina (the rest). He created a separate administration and a corps of oprichniki who carried out mass executions, land confiscations, and terror against the boyars.

Ivan IV led the oprichniki in a punitive expedition against Novgorod, suspecting the city of plotting to defect to Lithuania. Thousands were executed, and the city was looted and destroyed, ending its economic and political power.

Ivan IV struck his eldest son and heir, Tsarevich Ivan Ivanovich, with a pointed staff during an argument, causing fatal injuries. This left the throne to the mentally weak Fyodor I, leading to the end of the Rurikid dynasty.

Jahangir ordered the execution of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh guru, for supporting the rebellion of his son Khusrau. Guru Arjan Dev was tortured and died in Mughal custody. This event marked a turning point in Sikh-Mughal relations, leading to the militarization of the Sikh community.

Jahangir's eldest son, Prince Khusrau, rebelled against his father shortly after Jahangir's accession. Khusrau gathered an army and marched on Lahore. Jahangir's forces defeated the rebellion, and Khusrau was captured. He was later blinded and imprisoned, dying in 1622.

Jahangir married Mehr-un-Nissa, who was given the title Nur Jahan. She became his most influential wife and effectively co-ruled the empire. Nur Jahan controlled court appointments, issued decrees, and managed the empire's finances. Her influence marked a period of significant female political power in the Mughal court.

Jahangir granted the English East India Company permission to establish a trading post at Surat. This was the first formal English foothold in India. The company later expanded its influence, eventually becoming the dominant colonial power in the subcontinent.