The Mughal Empire Under Akbar (1556–1605)

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

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

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’.