Akbar 1556-1605

Akbar 1556-1605: After Humayun's death in 1556 CE, his 13-year -old son, Jalaludin Muhammad Akbar succeded to the Mughal throne with Bairam Khan as his regent . At the time of his accession, the Mughal Empire consisted of little more than Punjab and the area around Delhi. However, Akbar, the greatest of the Mughal rulers, led a series of military campaigns that led to the expansion of the Mughal empire in India. 

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Early life: Akbar was born in 1542CE in Amarkot when his father was a fugitive there. Akbar was only 13 years old when he was crowned emperor in 1556CE.

Akbar conquests:  After consolidating his rule over Delhi and Agra, he began to systematically all his potential rivals in the west, east, south and the northwest. By 1601CE, the Mughal Empire stretched from Afghanistan to Bengal and from Kashmir to the Deccan.

In 1560 CE, Akbar took over the reins of the Mughal government in his own hands and began expanding his empire.

         Under Akbar, therefore, the Mughal empire stretched from the Himalyas in the north to the river Godavari in the south, and from the Hindukush Mountains in the north west to the river Brahmputra in the east.

Administration: Akbar was helped in the discharge of his administrative duties by his cabinet. His tutor and mentor, Bairam Khan, took care of the administration of the empire till Akbar was 18.  The cabinet consisted of several senior officers. The wazir, who was similar to a prime minister, was the principal advisor to the emperor. The diwan, who was in charge of museum and finance, was similar to the finance minister.

Provincial Government: Akbar divided his empire into 15 subas or provinces, each headed by a governor or subedar. The provinces   were divided into sarkars or districts; each sarkar consisted of several parganas, and several villages made up a parganas.

Military Administration-The Mansabdari System: Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system, i.e., a system which consisted of a hierarchy of ranks or offices, In 1574 CE. Every civil or military official was given a jagir or piece of land according to his zat or rank. They drew their salaries form the revenue of the land. They have to maintain certain horses for the Emperor’s use. 

Land Revenue Policy: Akbar adopted Sher Shah’s system of land revenue, and introduced certain additional features to bring greater relief to the people. Raja Todar Mal was appointed the chief revenue officer. Todar Mal introduced the dashala system. The land was divided into four groups department on its fertility and the number of time it was cultivated in a year. 

Rajput Policy: Akbar realized that if he were to be accepted as the monarch of an empire in India, it could not be possible without the support of the Rajput’s. He gave important posts to Rajput’s and other Hindus in his administration. Akbar gave the Rajput’s complete freedom to follow their religion, build temples, celebrate festivals and wear their caste mark on their forehead.

Religious Policy: Akbar was a liberal ruler who believed in the equality and unity of all religions.  He employed Hindus in his government and gave many of them high ranks. He abolished the religious tax On non- Muslims, the jaziya. He married Hindu princess and allowed them to practice their religion.  In 1575 CE, Akbar opened the Ibadat Khana at his new capital, Fatehpur Sikri. He invited people of various faiths to come here and discuss matters of religion with him. A few years later, Akbar founded his own religion called Din-I-Ilahi or divine faith. It stressed belief in one god.

Akbar religious policy was guided by his desire to unite the entire empire as one

   The Mughal empire under Akbar was, therefore, strong and well-organised. The administrative, military and economic systems introduced by Akbar were used by his successors to further expand and consolidate the empire.

AKBAR's RELATION WITH OTHER RULERS

One of the most important features of Akbar's reign was the relationship he maintained with other rulers, especially the Rajputs who had been a major threat to his empire in the north.

    These measures allowed Akbar and his successors to extend their control over many smaller kingdoms in the region.