Medieval India

The Mughal Empire Under Akbar (1556–1605)

By Examguru / 08 Jul, 2025 / Download PDF

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The Mughal Empire Under Akbar (1556–1605)

Akbar, the eldest son of Humayun, ascended the throne under the title of Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar Badshah Ghazi at the young age of 14 at Kalanaur, Punjab. His tutor, Bairam Khan, was appointed as the regent.

Second Battle of Panipat – 5 Nov. 1556

Fought between Hemu (the Hindu General of Muhammad Adil Shah) and Bairam Khan (Akbar’s regent).

  • Hemu was defeated, captured, and slain by Bairam Khan.

  • This war ended the Mughal-Afghan contest for the throne of Delhi in favor of the Mughals, enabling Akbar to reoccupy Delhi and Agra.

Rise to Power

  • In 1560, Akbar ended Bairam Khan’s regency and took control at age 18.

  • From 1560 to 1562, he was influenced by Maham Anga and Adham Khan – a period called the “Petticoat Government”.

Rajput Policy

  • Rajput Kingdom of Mewar resisted under Rana Uday Singh (1537–72) and his son Rana Pratap (1572–97).

  • Akbar won over many Rajputs by:

    • Inducting Rajput kings into Mughal service.

    • Treating them on par with Mughal nobles.

    • Marrying Harakha Bai, daughter of Bharmal of Amer, in 1562 – a strong gesture of secular policy.

Exceptions: Only Rana Pratap Singh and his son Amar Singh (Sisodiya Rajputs of Mewar, Capital – Chittor) refused to submit.

Battle of Haldighati – 1576

  • Fought between Rana Pratap and the Mughal army led by Man Singh of Amer.

  • Rana Pratap was defeated, but he continued the resistance.

Akbar’s Conquests

Year

Province

Ruler/From

1560–62

Malwa

Baz Bahadur

1561

Chunar

Afghan

1562

Merata

Jaimal

1564

Gondwana

Rani Durgawati (regent of Bir Narayan)

1568

Chittor

Rana Uday Singh

1569

Ranthambhore

Surjan Hada

1569

Kalinjar

Ram Chandra

1570

Marwar

Chandrasena, Kalyanmal, Raj Singh, Rawal Harirai

1572

Gujarat

Bahadur Shah

1574–76

Bengal–Bihar

Daud Khan Karrani

1576

Haldighati

Rana Pratap

1581

Kabul

Mirza Hakim

1585–86

Kashmir

Yusuf Khan and Yakub Khan

1590–91

Sindh

Jani Beg Mirza

1590–92

Orissa

Kutul Khan and Nisar Khan

1591

Khandesh

Ali Khan

1595

Baluchistan

Yusufzai Tribes

1595Kandahar

r

Muzaffar Husain Mirza

1597–1600

Ahmadnagar

Chand Bibi (regent of Bahadur Shah)

1601

Asirgarh

Miran Bahadur Khan

Religious Policy – Din-i-Ilahi (1581)

  • A new religion blending Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, and Christianity.

  • Rejected the concept of a prophet.

  • Only Birbal (a Hindu) joined it.

  • Not popular with the public.

Akbar's Architectural Works

  • Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Lahore Fort, Allahabad Fort.

  • Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi.

  • Moved court to Fatehpur Sikri in honour of Sheikh Salim Chisti, who blessed him with a son: Salim (Jahangir).

Major Administrative & Cultural Highlights

Year

Event

1562

First visit to Ajmer

1562

Ban on forced conversion of war prisoners

1563

Abolition of Pilgrimage Tax

1564

Abolition of Jaziya

1571

Foundation of Fatehpur Sikri

1574

Mansabdari System introduced

1575

Ibadatkhana built

1578

Parliament of Religions held

1579

Mahzar Proclamation (by Sheikh Mubarak)

1580

Dahsala Bandobast introduced

1582

Din-i-Ilahi / Tauhid-i-Ilahi

1584

Ilahi Samvat (Calendar)

1587

Ilahi Gaz (Yard)

Akbar’s Navaratnas (Nine Gems)

  1. Birbal – Administrator

  2. Abul Fazl – Scholar & Statesman

  3. Faizi – Scholar, Brother of Abul Fazl

  4. Todarmal – Finance Minister, introduced the Dahsala System

  5. Bhagwandas – Mansabdar, Son of Bharmal

  6. Man Singh – Mansabdar, Grandson of Bharmal

  7. Tansen – Legendary Musician

  8. Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan – Statesman, Poet

  9. Mulla Do Pyaja – Scholar

Tulsidas, the author of Ramcharitmanas, also lived during Akbar’s reign.

End of Reign and Legacy

  • Akbar died and was buried at Sikandara, near Agra.

  • Considered the real founder of the Mughal Empire in India.

  • First Mughal ruler to divorce religion from politics.

  • Birbal was killed in a battle with the Yusufzai Tribe.

  • Abul Fazl was murdered by Bir Singh Bundela (1601).

  • Akbar established Persian as the official language of Mughal India.

Final Thoughts

Akbar’s reign (1556–1605) marked a turning point in Indian history. He wasn't just a conqueror but also a visionary who laid the foundation of a truly centralized Mughal empire.

His policy of religious tolerance, administrative reforms like the Mansabdari and Dahsala systems, and efforts to include Rajputs and other groups in his governance helped unify his vast empire.

His patronage of art, architecture, and scholars made his court culturally vibrant. Akbar's legacy remains that of a ruler who balanced power with wisdom and inclusion with authority, earning him the title ‘Akbar the Great’.

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