Akbar was the third Mughal emperor, known for his military conquests, administrative reforms, and religious tolerance. His reign marked the golden age of the Mughal Empire, expanding its territory and strengthening governance.
Basic Information on Akbar
- Full Name: Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar
- Born: 15 October 1542 CE
- Birthplace: Umarkot, Sindh (Present-day Pakistan)
- Dynasty: Mughal Dynasty
- Father: Humayun
- Mother: Hamida Banu Begum
- Major Battles: Second Battle of Panipat (1556), Battle of Haldighati (1576), Deccan Campaigns
- Religious Policy: Sulh-i-Kul (Universal Tolerance), Abolished Jizya tax on non-Muslims
- Major Achievements: Expanded the Mughal Empire, introduced Mansabdari System, started Din-i-Ilahi, built Fatehpur Sikri
- Death: 27 October 1605 CE (Agra, India)
Akbar’s Early Rule and the Second Battle of Panipat (1556)
- Crowned at age 13 after Humayun’s death (1556).
- Bairam Khan acted as regent during his early years.
- Defeated Hemu (Vikramaditya) in the Second Battle of Panipat (1556), securing the Mughal Empire in India.
Military Conquests and Expansion of the Empire
1. Rajput Policy
- Married Jodha Bai (Rajput princess of Amer).
- Appointed Rajput rulers (Raja Man Singh, Todar Mal, Birbal) to high positions.
- Defeated Maharana Pratap in the Battle of Haldighati (1576).
2. Expansion in North India
- Conquered Malwa (1561), Gujarat (1573), Bengal (1574), Kabul (1581).
- Defeated Afghan ruler Daud Khan in Bihar and Bengal.
3. Deccan Campaigns
- Conquered Berar, Khandesh, Ahmednagar (1590s–1600).
- Fought against Chand Bibi, the ruler of Ahmednagar.
Administrative Reforms of Akbar
1. Mansabdari System (Military & Civil Administration)
- Introduced by Akbar to organize the military and bureaucracy.
- Officials were ranked by their Zat (personal rank) and Sawar (number of cavalry maintained).
2. Land Revenue System (Zabt System)
- Implemented by Raja Todar Mal.
- Land was measured, and tax was fixed based on productivity.
- Also called Dahsala System.
3. Religious Policy – Sulh-i-Kul (Universal Tolerance)
- Abolished Jizya (Tax on non-Muslims).
- Appointed Hindus to high administrative positions.
- Built Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) in Fatehpur Sikri for discussions with religious scholars.
4. Din-i-Ilahi (Divine Faith, 1582)
- New religious movement, blending ideas from Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism.
- Followers included Birbal and Abu’l Fazl, but it failed to gain popularity.
5. Economy and Trade
- Developed roads, markets, and trade networks.
- Encouraged Persian, Indian, and Central Asian trade.
- Issued gold coins with his name.
6. Art, Culture, and Literature
- Patronized Persian, Sanskrit, and regional literature.
- Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari were written by Abu’l Fazl.
- Built Fatehpur Sikri, Buland Darwaza, Agra Fort, and Lahore Fort.
Akbar’s Relations with Rajputs and Hindus
| Policy | Details |
|---|---|
| Rajput Alliances | Married Jodha Bai (Amer) and other Rajput princesses |
| High Administrative Positions | Raja Man Singh, Birbal, Todar Mal were given top ranks |
| Religious Tolerance | Abolished Jizya, allowed Hindus in the court |
| Battle of Haldighati (1576) | Defeated Maharana Pratap, but Rajput resistance continued |
Comparison: Akbar vs. Aurangzeb
| Feature | Akbar | Aurangzeb |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Policy | Tolerant (Sulh-i-Kul) | Orthodox, Reimposed Jizya |
| Rajput Relations | Friendly, Married Rajput Princesses | Hostile, Fought Rajputs |
| Military Expansion | North & Central India, Deccan | South India (Deccan) |
| Administration | Mansabdari System | Strict Islamic Rule |
| Arts & Culture | Flourished (Ain-i-Akbari, Fatehpur Sikri) | Declined, Banned Music |
Death of Akbar (1605) and Succession
- Died in 1605 in Agra due to dysentery.
- Jahangir (Salim) succeeded him, leading to further expansion of the Mughal Empire.
Key Facts for Quick Revision
- Defeated Hemu in the Second Battle of Panipat (1556) at age 13.
- Expanded the empire to Gujarat, Bengal, and Deccan.
- Abolished Jizya (Tax on non-Muslims) and promoted Sulh-i-Kul (Religious Tolerance).
- Introduced Mansabdari System and Zabt (Land Revenue) System.
- Started Din-i-Ilahi (1582), but it failed.
- Built Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Buland Darwaza.
- Died in 1605, succeeded by Jahangir.
MCQs on Akbar
1. In which battle did Akbar defeat Hemu to establish Mughal rule in India?
A) First Battle of Panipat
B) Second Battle of Panipat
C) Battle of Khanwa
D) Battle of Chausa
✅ Answer: B) Second Battle of Panipat
2. What was the purpose of Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi?
A) Promote trade
B) Introduce a new religious tax
C) Blend various religious beliefs
D) Encourage Islamic orthodoxy
✅ Answer: C) Blend various religious beliefs
3. Who was the main architect of Akbar’s revenue system?
A) Raja Todar Mal
B) Birbal
C) Man Singh
D) Tansen
✅ Answer: A) Raja Todar Mal
4. What was Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance called?
A) Mansabdari
B) Din-i-Ilahi
C) Sulh-i-Kul
D) Ibadat Khana
✅ Answer: C) Sulh-i-Kul
5. Which city was built by Akbar but later abandoned due to a water crisis?
A) Lahore
B) Agra
C) Fatehpur Sikri
D) Delhi
✅ Answer: C) Fatehpur Sikri
Subjective Questions for Further Revision
Short Answer Questions (2-5 Marks)
- Who was Akbar, and what were his major achievements?
- Describe Akbar’s religious policy.
- What was Mansabdari System, and why was it important?
- Name two famous books written during Akbar’s reign.
- What was Sulh-i-Kul, and why was it significant?
Long Answer Questions (8-15 Marks)
- Discuss Akbar’s contribution to administration, military, and culture.
- Explain the causes and results of the Second Battle of Panipat (1556).
- Compare Akbar’s religious policy with Aurangzeb’s.
- What were the features and failure of Din-i-Ilahi?
- How did Akbar strengthen Mughal-Rajput relations?
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