AKBAR (1542–1605)
Akbar, also known as Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, was an emperor of the Mughal
Empire. He ruled India from 1556 to 1605 and is remembered for his military conquests,
administrative reforms, and policies promoting cultural and religious harmony.
1. Early Life
• Born on October 15, 1542, in Umerkot (modern-day Pakistan).
• Akbar was the son of Humayun and Hamida Banu Begum.
• He became the Mughal emperor at the age of 13 after Humayun’s death in 1556.
• His reign began under the guidance of his regent and mentor, Bairam Khan.
2. Akbar’s Reign (1556–1605)
Akbar's reign is considered the golden age of the Mughal Empire due to his successful
military campaigns, effective administration, and policies promoting unity.
(a) Early Challenges
• Akbar’s rule began with the Second Battle of Panipat (1556), where he defeated
Hemu, a rival general, and secured the Mughal throne.
• With the help of Bairam Khan, he consolidated Mughal power in North India.
(b) Military Expansion
• Expanded the Mughal Empire into Rajputana, Gujarat, Bengal, Deccan, and
Afghanistan.
• Formed alliances with Rajput rulers, such as Raja Man Singh and Raja Bharmal of
Amber.
• Used a combination of diplomacy, military strength, and tolerance to win over new
territories.
(c) Diplomacy and Rajput Alliances
• Married Rajput princesses to promote harmony between Mughals and Rajputs.
• Gained the loyalty of many Hindu Rajput rulers who served as generals and
administrators in his court.
3. Administration and Reforms
(a) Centralized Administration
• Introduced a system of centralized governance, dividing the empire into provinces
(subas).
• Each province was governed by officials, such as the Subedar (governor), Diwan
(finance officer), and Qazi (judge).
(b) Revenue System
• Akbar implemented the land revenue system (Zabt system), designed by his finance
minister Raja Todar Mal.
• Taxes were based on the productivity of the land, ensuring fairness.
• Encouraged the development of agriculture by reducing tax burdens during times of
drought or poor harvest.
(c) Mansabdari System
• Introduced the Mansabdari system, a military and administrative system where
officers (mansabdars) were ranked based on their service and responsibility.
• Mansabdars were responsible for maintaining troops for the empire.
4. Religious and Social Policies
(a) Policy of Tolerance (Sulh-e-Kul)
• Promoted religious tolerance and harmony through his policy of Sulh-e-Kul
(Universal Peace).
• Abolished the jizya tax, which was a tax on non-Muslims.
• Allowed people of different faiths to practice their religion freely.
(b) Din-i-Ilahi
• Akbar introduced a new religious idea called Din-i-Ilahi (Religion of God) to
promote unity among his subjects.
• It combined elements of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, and
Zoroastrianism.
• However, Din-i-Ilahi did not gain widespread acceptance.
(c) Support for Art and Culture
• Encouraged cultural diversity by employing scholars, artists, and poets from different
religions and regions.
• Supported Hindu festivals, such as Diwali and Holi, alongside Muslim festivals.
• Promoted Persian as the official court language while supporting local languages.
5. Contributions to Art and Architecture
Akbar was a patron of arts and architecture. His reign saw remarkable developments in
Mughal art and architecture.
(a) Architecture
• Built magnificent structures such as the Agra Fort and the city of Fatehpur Sikri
(his capital for some years).
• The Buland Darwaza, in Fatehpur Sikri, symbolizes Akbar’s grandeur.
• His tomb, located in Sikandra (Agra), is another architectural marvel.
(b) Miniature Paintings
• Promoted the Mughal school of miniature painting, which blended Persian, Indian,
and European styles.
• Encouraged artists to depict scenes from daily life, nature, and royal events.
(c) Literature
• Patronized writers and poets like Abul Fazl, who wrote the Akbarnama (a detailed
chronicle of Akbar’s reign).
• Supported translations of Hindu texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata into
Persian.
6. Legacy
(a) Unification of India
• Akbar’s policies of tolerance and alliances brought stability and unity to India.
• He created a diverse and inclusive empire where people of different religions and
cultures coexisted.
(b) Akbar’s Role in Shaping the Mughal Empire
• Strengthened the Mughal Empire both politically and culturally, making it one of the
most powerful empires in the world.
• Left behind a model of governance and administration that influenced later rulers.
7. Akbar’s Personal Traits
• Known for his intelligence, curiosity, and open-mindedness.
• Illiterate but deeply interested in knowledge; held discussions with scholars from
various religions and cultures.
• A skilled military leader and a visionary ruler who treated his subjects with fairness.
8. Decline of Akbar’s Reign
• Towards the end of his reign, Akbar faced rebellions, including one led by his son,
Prince Salim (later Jahangir).
• Despite this, Akbar retained his position as a beloved ruler until his death in 1605.
