Mughal Emperor Akbar (1556-1605)

Mughal Emperor Akbar, also known as Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, was the third Mughal emperor who reigned from 1556 to 1605. Akbar was the son of Mughal Emperor Humayun. After succeeding his father at a young age, Akbar was helped by a regent, Bairam Khan, who helped him expand and consolidate Mughal domains in India.

About Akbar (1556-1605)

Akbar ascended to the throne in 1556 CE, initiating his rule under the regency of Bairam Khan, a loyal companion of Humayun and holder of the title Khan-i-Khanan.
In 1556 CE, Bairam Khan played a pivotal role in the Second Battle of Panipat against Hemu Vikramaditya, leader of the Afghan forces. Despite initial challenges, luck favored the Mughals as Hemu suffered a critical eye injury, leading to the retreat of his army.
Under Bairam Khan’s regency, Mughal territories flourished, stretching from Kabul to Jaunpur in the east and Ajmer in the west. Gwalior also fell under Mughal control during this period.
Bairam Khan emerged as a prominent noble, consolidating power by appointing his supporters to key positions. This, however, bred resentment among older nobles, ultimately influencing Akbar.
Akbar, swayed by the discontent among nobles, removed Bairam Khan due to his increasing arrogance. Three options were given to Bairam Khan: serving at the court, relocating elsewhere, or retiring to Mecca. Choosing the latter, he was assassinated en route to Mecca by an Afghan near Ahmedabad.
Bairam Khan’s wife and child were brought to Akbar in Agra. In a surprising turn, Akbar married Bairam’s widow and raised his child, who later gained renown as Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan—a distinguished Hindi poet and influential noble.

Important Fact of Akbar

Birth Name	Abu’l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar
Born	25 Oct 1542
Death	27 Oct 1605
Parents	Humayun, Hamida Banu Begum
Birth Place	Rajput Fortress of Amarkot in Rajputana (in modern-day Sindh)
Period Of Rule	11 February 1556 – 27 October 1605
Religion	Sunni Islam, Din-e-Illahi
House	House of Babur
Dynasty	Timurid Dynasty
Tomb	Sikandra, Agra
Successor	Jahangir
Predecessor	Humayun
Death Place	Fatehpur Sikri, Agra

Expansion of the Mughal Empire Under Akbar

When Akbar took control of the government following the overthrow of Bairam Khan and the end of the Purdah system, he turned to imperialist policies and pushed the expansion of his empire.

Foundation of Military Strength: King Akbar’s strategic organizational development of the Mughal army laid the groundwork for its strength and authority. The initial focus during his reign was on kingdom building, with the integration of Ajmer, Malwa, and Garhkatanga into Mughal territories under Bairam Khan’s rule.

Conquest of Malwa (A.D. 1561): Akbar’s foster mother’s son, Adham Khan, led the expedition against Malwa in March 1561. The Battle of Sarangpur resulted in a significant defeat for Baz Bahadur. However, harsh rule by Adham Khan led to a Mughal backlash, prompting Baz Bahadur to regain Malwa with external assistance. Akbar sent a second expedition in 1562, led by Abdullah Khan, resulting in Baz Bahadur fleeing to the West and seeking refuge with the Rana of Mewar.

Conquest of Rajasthan: Akbar turned his attention to Rajasthan after establishing dominance in north and central India. The campaign began in 1561, employing a mix of force and diplomacy to assert Mughal rule. The Chittorgarh Fort in Mewar was attacked in 1567, facing resistance from Udai Singh. The Battle of Haldighati in 1576 saw Rana Prapat valiantly resisting Akbar’s rise until his last breath.

Conquest of Gujarat, Bengal, and Bihar: Following successes against Rajput territories, Akbar shifted focus to Gujarat in 1572, targeting the Mirzas in Ahmadabad. After consolidating power in Rajasthan, attention turned to the Sur dynasty controlling Broach, Baroda, and Surat in Gujarat. Initially under the Sur dynasty’s rule, Bihar and Bengal came under Sulaiman Kararani after Sher Shah Suri’s demise. In 1568, Sulaiman accepted Akbar’s suzerainty. However, Daud Khan, Sulaiman’s son, resisted Akbar’s authority. Akbar’s expeditions in 1574 and 1576 culminated in Daud Khan’s defeat, marking the end of the Afghan empire in northern India.

Akbar’s strategic military campaigns played a pivotal role in expanding and consolidating the Mughal Empire across various regions of India.

Art and Architecture

Akbar passionately championed art and architecture, demonstrating his commitment by engaging knowledgeable individuals to read to him on diverse topics such as art, history, philosophy, and religion. Despite his inability to read and write, he actively sought to cultivate a deep understanding of these subjects.

Humayun’s Tomb

The Humayun’s Tomb, constructed under Akbar’s rule, stands out as a pivotal Mughal architectural marvel. Built in the 1560s, this monumental mausoleum was designed by the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. Nestled in a lush garden in Delhi, the tomb boasts an intricate layout. The inner chambers, forming an octagonal shape, are linked by an archway adorned with a stunning facade. Crowned with cupolas, kiosks, and pinnacles, the structure stands as a testament to the artistic grandeur of its time.

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri, known as the City of Victory, boasts magnificent Mughal-style architecture featuring charming low arches and distinctive bulbous domes. Situated in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, this historic site served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri is a captivating destination that beautifully showcases the grandeur of Mughal design.

Agra Fort

Agra Fort is located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD. The fort is built of Red Sandstone and was considered the main residence of Mughal rulers until the shifting of capital from Agra to Delhi.

Central Administrative System

Akbar initially embraced Sher Shah’s administrative framework, but he soon realized its limitations and opted for his own system. In Akbar’s centralized administration, the king held all powers, supported by a council of ministers. To oversee village affairs, a panchayat system was instituted. This shift in governance aimed to enhance efficiency and better cater to the diverse needs of the people.

Mughal Emperor

Emperor Akbar exercised absolute control over civil, judicial, military, and religious matters, acting as the Supreme Commander of the army.
He established a centralized government, making his judgment and instructions crucial for appointments, promotions, and dismissals.
Akbar predominantly ruled in accordance with Shariat, the Islamic Law.

Wazir

The Wazir, akin to a prime minister, served as the king’s key advisor, overseeing all ministries and advising on various matters.
During Aurangzeb’s rule, the position evolved into the “Vakil,” gaining prominence alongside other influential ministers.

Mir Bakshi

Mir Bakshi led the establishment department and intelligence agencies, playing a vital role in maintaining the empire’s security and intelligence.
Responsibilities of Mir Saman (Kham-i-Saman):Mir Saman, also known as Kham-i-Saman, managed the imperial family, ensuring their well-being.
His responsibilities extended to overseeing court etiquette and managing the royal bodyguards.

Sadrus Sudur

Sadrus Sudur, also the chief Qazi, safeguarded Islamic law and served as the spokesperson for the Ulema.
Head of the judicial department, Sadrus Sudur’s primary duty was to protect and uphold Shariat laws.

Mutasibs

Mutasibs were appointed to enforce moral laws, overseeing adherence to ethical standards. Their responsibilities included verifying weights and measurements, ensuring fair prices, and upholding moral integrity.

Council of Ministers

King Akbar’s Council of Ministers played a crucial role in assisting with administrative responsibilities and managing state affairs.

Provincial Administrative System

Emperor Akbar organized his vast empire into fifteen provinces, each under the leadership of a Subedar or Governor. These provinces included Agra, Ahmedabad, Ahmednagar, Ajmer, Allahabad, Awadh, Bengal, Berar, Bihar, Delhi, Kabul, Khandar, Lahore, Malwa, and Multan. This administrative structure comprised Sarkars, further divided into Parganas, and eventually down to villages. Akbar’s efficient governance established a hierarchical system that streamlined administration and facilitated effective management at various levels within the empire.

Suba (Province) Administration:

Each Suba, or province, was led by a subadar overseeing both political and military affairs.
A diwan, the financial officer, managed the province’s finances.

Sarkar (District) Governance:

Two key officers were the Faujdar, responsible for law and order, and the Amalguzar (Amil), overseeing land revenue assessment and collection.
Faujdari was part of administrative divisions, while Sarkar was a territorial and revenue division.

Pargana (Sub-District) Management:

The Shiqdar served as the executive officer at the Pargana level, supporting the Amil in revenue collection.
Qanungo controlled land records, and Kotwals maintained law and order in towns.

Village Administration:

The patwari managed land revenue records, while the Muqaddam acted as the local headman.
Zamindars assisted in tax collection and maintained law and order in their respective regions.

Land Revenue Administration

Akbar’s land revenue system, known as Zabti or Bandobast, drew inspiration from Sher Shah’s model with refinements.
Raja Todar Mal enhanced and finalized the system, named Dahsala, around 1580 CE.
Todar Mal introduced standardized land measurement, fixing revenue based on a ten-year average yield.
State’s share equaled one-third of the average produce, usually collected in cash.
Four categories: Polaj (annual cultivation), Parauti (once in two years), Chachar (once in three or four years), and Banjar (once in five or more years).
Concessional rates applied to Chachar and Banjar.
Karoris, officials responsible for collecting crores of dams (Rs. 2,50,000), verified information provided by qanungos.
Akbar encouraged cultivation improvements by directing revenue officers (Amil) to provide taccavi (loans) to peasants for tools, seeds, etc., repayable in installments.
Akbar’s settlement, with some modifications, served as the Mughal Empire’s land revenue foundation until the late 17th century.

Mansabdari System

Mansabdari system organized officers based on ranks (mansab), ranging from 10 to 5000.
Zat Rank indicated personal status and salary, while Sawar Rank denoted the cavalrymen to be maintained.
Three categories based on maintaining sawars compared to zat, distinguishing mansabdars, amirs, and amir-i-umda.
Mansabdars had to maintain horses, elephants, and other resources from their salary.
Centralized maintenance later, but expenses remained the responsibility of the mansabdars.
Periodic inspection through chehra (soldiers’ descriptive roll) and dagh (horse branding).Nobles had to present their contingent, following a 10-20 rule for cavalrymen and horses.
Contingents required a mix of Mughal, Pathan, Rajput, and Hindustani groups, aiming to reduce tribalism.
Distinctive mansabdari system evolved uniquely in India, with a significant weakness being the lack of a strong navy.

Jagirdari System

A modified version of Delhi Sultanate’s Iqta, the Jagirdari system was integral to the mansabdari system.
Central Diwan identified parganas with revenue equal to the mansabdar’s salary claim.
Tankha Jagirs, transferable for salaries.
Watan Jagirs, hereditary and non-transferable.
Mashrut Jagirs, assigned with specific conditions.
Altamgha Jagirs, designated for Muslim nobles in their family towns.
Zamindars had hereditary rights, receiving 10-25% of peasants’ produce.
Assisted in revenue collection and provided military services to the state.
Zamindars did not own all land within their zamindari; cultivators retained possession as long as land revenue was paid.
Both zamindars and peasants held hereditary rights over the land.

Religious Policy

Mughal emperor Akbar’s rule was marked by widespread religious tolerance and liberal policies.
Akbar followed the religious policies and he never sought to enforce his own religious views on anyone else in his kingdom.
He valued freedom of choice greatly and did away with religiously discriminatory taxation.
In his reign, he supported the construction of temples and even churches.
He restricted the eating of beef in the kitchens out of respect for the Hindu members of the Royal Family.
Akbar empire adopted Sheikh Moinuddin Chishti as his spiritual leader and frequently visited his shrine in Ajmer.
His ambition of achieving religious harmony for his people led him to form the Din-i-Ilahi (Faith of the Divine) sect.
Din-i-Ilahi was a moral framework that prescribed the ideal way of living while rejecting characteristics like desire, slander, and pride.
It made extensive use of current religions’ finest philosophies to construct an amalgam of moral principles to live by.

Akbar’s Navratnas

Nine of the courtiers were known as Akbar’s navratnas (nine jewels).

Abul Fazl

He authored Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari.
He led the Mughal army in its war in Deccan.
On the orders of Prince Salim, he was killed by Bir Singh Bundela.

Faizi

He was a great Persian poet. Brother of Abul Fazl.
Under his supervision, the Mahabharata was translated into the Persian language.
He also translated Lilavati (a work on mathematics) into Persian.

Tansen

He served as a great musician in the court of king Ramachandra who titled him “Tansen”.
He was born as Tanna Mishra. Akbar gave him the title of “Mian”.
It is believed that he could bring fire and rain through singing the ragas Deepak and Megh Malhar respectively.

Raja Birbal

His original name was Mahesh Das. Akbar gave him the title of “Raja” and “Birbal”.
He died on the northwest frontier fighting the Yusuf Shahis.

Raja Todar Mal

He was the head of the revenue system.
He introduced standard weights and measures.
He had earlier worked under Sher Shah Suri.
Akbar honoured him with the title of “Diwan-i-Ashraf”.

Raja Man Singh

One of the trusted generals of Akbar.

Fakir Aziao Din

He was one of the chief advisors of Akbar.
He was a Sufi mystic.

Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan

Son of Bairam Khan. He was a great poet.
He translated Baburnama into Persian.

Mirza Aziz Koka

Also known as Khan-i-Azam or Kotaltash.
Foster brother of Akbar.
He was also appointed Subedar of Gujarat.

End of Akbar’s Rule

Battle of Aseergarh marked the final military engagement led by Emperor Akbar in 1601 AD, where he emerged victorious against Meeran Bahadur, the ruler of Khandesh. This significant triumph proved to be Akbar’s last successful campaign. The emperor, aged 63, passed away on October 27, 1605, at Fatehpur Sikri. Following his demise, his son Jahangir ascended to the throne, succeeding Akbar as the ruler of the Mughal Empire.