Fast Facts: Akbar the Great
- Known For: Mughal ruler famed for his religious tolerance, empire-building, and patronage of the arts
- Also Known As: Abu'l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, Akbar I
- Born : Oct. ...
- Parents: Humayun, Hamida Banu Begum
- Died: Oct. ...
- Spouse (s): Salima Sultan Begum, Mariam-uz-Zamani, Qasima Banu Begum, Bibi Daulat Shad, Bhakkari Begu, Gauhar-un-Nissa Begum
How did Akbar expand the Mughal Empire?
Akbar extended the reach of the Mughal dynasty across the Indian subcontinent and consolidated the empire by centralizing its administration and incorporating non-Muslims (especially the Hindu Rajputs) into the empire’s fabric.
Who was Akbar the Great?
Akbar the Great (Oct. 15, 1542–Oct. 27, 1605) was a 16th-century Mughal (Indian) emperor famed for his religious tolerance, empire-building, and patronage of the arts.
What made Akbar a centre of Culture in India?
Illiterate himself, he encouraged scholars, poets, painters, and musicians, making his court a centre of culture. Abū al-Fatḥ Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Akbar was descended from Turks, Mongols, and Iranians—the three peoples who predominated in the political elites of northern India in medieval times.
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What was Akbar the great Mughal emperor known for?
Akbar the Great (Oct. 15, 1542–Oct. 27, 1605) was a 16th-century Mughal (Indian) emperor famed for his religious tolerance, empire-building, and patronage of the arts.
How did Akbar reform the Mughal government?
Akbar established separation of state and religion and opened government positions to members of all religions. He abolished the poll tax (jizya) on non-Muslims and the forced conversion of prisoners of war to Islam.
What are the three achievements of Akbar?
1 AnswerMilitary achievements of Akbar: ... Religious policy of Akbar: Akbar was liberal minded and tolerant of other religions. ... Administration: Akbar was a good organizer and administrator. ... Mansabdari system: Akbar introduced a new system of military and civil administration known as 'Mansabdari System'.More items...•
How was Akbar able to secure the Mughal throne?
Akbar followed the same feudal policy toward the other Rajput chiefs. They were allowed to hold their ancestral territories, provided that they acknowledged Akbar as emperor, paid tribute, supplied troops when required, and concluded a marriage alliance with him.
What qualities of Akbar made him great?
Akbar was strong-willed, fearless and often cruel, but he was also just and compassionate and had an inquiring mind.
How did Akbar restore the authority of the Mughal emperor?
Mughal rule was restored with the recapture of Agra and Delhi. Akbar embarked on a career of conquests. At his accession Akbar did not seem to possess any definite territory. When he died in 1605, he had a vast empire extending from Kabul to Bengal and the Himalayas to Ahmadnagar.
What was Akbar's greatest accomplishment?
What did Akbar accomplish? Akbar extended the reach of the Mughal dynasty across the Indian subcontinent and consolidated the empire by centralizing its administration and incorporating non-Muslims (especially the Hindu Rajputs) into the empire's fabric.
What were four of Akbar's great accomplishments?
Akbar the Great's Military AccomplishmentsSecond Battle of Panipat.Conquest of Gondwana.Conquest of Gujarat.Conquests of Bengal and Orissa.Conquests of Kabul and Kashmir.Conquests of South India.
Which was Akbar's greatest conquest?
Military Conquests Accomplished by Akbar The GreatThe Second Battle of Panipat (1556 CE) ... Conquest of Gondwana. ... Conquest of Gujarat. ... Conquest of Bengal and Orissa. ... Annexations of Kabul and Kashmir. ... Rajpur Policy. ... Conquests of South India.
Why is Akbar regarded as the most powerful Mughal ruler?
Akbar's reign significantly influenced the course of Indian history. During his rule, the Mughal empire tripled in size and wealth. He created a powerful military system and instituted effective political and social reforms.
How did the Mughal Empire rise to power?
The Mughal dynasty was founded by Bābur, a dispossessed Timurid prince who reestablished himself in Kabul. From there he conquered the Punjab and subsequently unseated the Delhi sultanate before extending his rule across northern India.
What were the reforms introduced by Akbar?
Enlist various social reforms taken by him – prohibited slavery, allowed Widow remarriage, prostitution was regulated, and immoral trafficking of women brought under control, Sati of Hindu women was prohibited etc.
How did Akbar try to reform the land revenue system?
Firstly, Akbar adopted Shershah's Rai system in which cultivated area was measured, and a central schedule was created fixing the dues of peasants crop wise on the basis of the productivity of the land. The state's share was fixed one-third of the produce under the schedule (Dastur-i-amal) to be paid in cash.
What were the main features of Akbar's administration Class 7?
The main features of central administration under Akbar were: There was a strong centralised Government with the king having the final authority over all important matters including politics, military, administrative and judiciary. All the decisions taken by him were final and could not be challenged by anyone.
Why did the Mughal Empire decline after the reign of Akbar?
Foreign invasions sapped the remaining strength of the Mughals and hastened the process of disintegration. The invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali resulted in further drainage of wealth. These invasions shook the very stability of the empire.
What did Akbar accomplish?
Akbar extended the reach of the Mughal dynasty across the Indian subcontinent and consolidated the empire by centralizing its administration and in...
What did Akbar believe in?
Akbar was Muslim but took an active interest in the various religions of his realm, including Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Christianity, in his ef...
How did Akbar come to power?
Akbar succeeded his father Humāyūn when he was 13, although not easily. Humāyūn had barely established his authority after regaining his throne the...
What was Akbar's empire?
Although Akbar inherited an empire in shambles, he proved an extremely capable ruler. His expansion and absorption of vast territories established an empire across northern and parts of central India; at his death in 1605 the empire extended from Afghanistan to the Bay of Bengal and southward to what is now Gujarat state and the northern Deccan region (peninsular India). The political, administrative, and military structures that he created to govern the empire were the chief factor behind its continued survival for another century and a half.
How did Akbar maintain his status as a Muslim ruler?
Meanwhile, Akbar needed a way to maintain his status as a Muslim ruler while eliciting active support from his now predominantly non-Muslim subjects. In addition to annulling the jizyah, he abolished the practice of forcibly converting prisoners of war to Islam and encouraged Hindus as his principal confidants and policy makers. To legitimize his nonsectarian policies, he issued in 1579 a public edict ( maḥẓar) declaring his right to be the supreme arbiter in Muslim religious matters—above the body of Muslim religious scholars and jurists, whom Akbar had come to consider as shallow. He had by then also undertaken a number of stern measures to reform the administration of religious grants, which were now available to learned and pious men of all religions, including Hindu pandits, Jain and Christian missionaries, and Parsi priests. The emperor created a new order commonly called the Dīn-e Ilāhī (“Divine Faith”), which was modeled on the Muslim mystical Sufi brotherhood but was devised with the object of forging the diverse groups in the service of the state into one cohesive political community.
What were Aurangzeb's successors plagued by?
Aurangzeb’s successors were plagued by instability and financial woes. Rebellions and external challenges continued under Bahādur Shah I (1707–12), whose poor fiscal management resembled that of Aurangzeb. Farrukh-Siyār (1713–19) acceded to the throne after a war of succession, assisted by two highly influential governors; his reign ended after those same agents, now his vizier and chief military commander, conspired with the ruler of Jodhpur to assassinate him.
What were the challenges faced by the Mughals?
Aside from this already formidable challenge, the Mughals faced several rebellions, and Aurangzeb’s attitude and policy began to harden. He excluded Hindus from public office and destroyed their schools and temples, while his persecution of the Sikhs of the Punjab turned that sect against Muslim rule (most notably under the leadership of Guru Gobind Singh) and roused rebellions among the Rajputs, Sikhs, and Marathas. The heavy taxes levied by Aurangzeb (including the reimposition of the jizyah) steadily impoverished the farming population, the abundant commissioning of manṣabdār s far outstripped the empire’s growth in area or revenues, and a steady decay in the quality of Mughal government was thus matched by a corresponding economic decline. When Aurangzeb died in 1707, he had failed to crush the Marathas of the Deccan, his authority was disputed throughout his dominions, and Mughal governance was collapsing under its own weight.
What were the features of Akbar's government?
One of the notable features of Akbar’s government was the extent of Hindu, and particularly Raj put, participation. Rajput princes attained the highest ranks, as generals and as provincial governors, in the Mughal service. Discrimination against non-Muslims was reduced by abolishing the taxation of pilgrims and the tax payable by non-Muslims ( jizyah) in lieu of military service. Yet Akbar was far more successful than any previous Muslim ruler in winning the cooperation of Hindus at all levels in his administration. The further expansion of his territories gave them fresh opportunities.
How did the Rajputs become independent?
The incorporation of the zealously independent Hindu Rajputs inhabiting the rugged hilly Rajputana region came about through a policy of conciliation and conquest. When in 1562 Raja Bihari Mal of Amber (now Jaipur ), threatened by a succession dispute, offered Akbar his daughter in marriage, Akbar accepted the offer. The raja acknowledged Akbar’s suzerainty, and his sons prospered in Akbar’s service. Akbar followed the same feudal policy toward the other Rajput chiefs. They were allowed to hold their ancestral territories, provided that they acknowledged Akbar as emperor, paid tribute, supplied troops when required, and concluded a marriage alliance with him. The emperor’s service was also opened to them and their sons, which offered financial rewards as well as honour. However, Akbar showed no mercy to those who refused to acknowledge his supremacy; after protracted fighting in Mewar, Akbar captured the historic fortress of Chitor (now Chittaurgarh) in 1568 and massacred its inhabitants.
When was Taj Mahal declared a World Heritage Site?
The Taj Mahal, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh state, India, designated a World Heritage site in 1983.
How did Akbar control his empire?
In order to control his vast empire, Akbar instituted a highly efficient bureaucracy. He appointed mansabars, or military governors, over the various regions; these governors answered directly to him. As a result, he was able to fuse the individual fiefdoms of India into a unified empire that would survive until 1868.
What did Akbar do to India?
As Akbar solidified his rule over northern India and began to extend his power south and west to the coast, he became aware of the new Portuguese presence there. Although the initial Portuguese approach to India had been "all guns blazing," they soon realized that they were no match militarily for the Mughal Empire on land. The two powers made treaties, under which the Portuguese were allowed to maintain their coastal forts, in exchange for promises not to harass Mughal ships that set out from the west coast carrying pilgrims to Arabia for the hajj.
What was Akbar the Great famous for?
15, 1542–Oct. 27, 1605) was a 16th-century Mughal (Indian) emperor famed for his religious tolerance, empire-building, and patronage of the arts.
Why did Akbar form an alliance with the Catholic Portuguese?
Interestingly, Akbar even formed an alliance with the Catholic Portuguese to punish the Ottoman Empire, which controlled the Arabian Peninsula at that time. The Ottomans were concerned that the huge numbers of pilgrims flooding into Mecca and Medina each year from the Mughal Empire were overwhelming the resources of the holy cities, so the Ottoman sultan rather firmly requested that Akbar quit sending people on the hajj.
What did Akbar ask his Portuguese allies to do?
Outraged, Akbar asked his Portuguese allies to attack the Ottoman navy, which was blockading the Arabian Peninsula. Unfortunately for him, the Portuguese fleet was completely routed off of Yemen. This signaled the end of the Mughal/Portuguese alliance. Akbar maintained more enduring relations with other empires, however.
How old was Akbar when he died?
In October 1605, the 63-year-old Emperor Akbar suffered a serious bout of dysentery. After a three-week illness, he passed away at the end of that month. The emperor was buried in a beautiful mausoleum in the royal city of Agra.
How many wives did Akbar have?
In total, Akbar had 36 wives of various ethnic and religious backgrounds. Probably even more important to his ordinary subjects, Akbar in 1563 repealed a special tax placed on Hindu pilgrims who visited sacred sites, and in 1564 he completely repealed the jizya, or yearly tax on non-Muslims.
What did Akbar do?
He allowed the Jesuits to construct a church at Agra and discouraged the slaughter of cattle out of respect for Hindu custom . Not everyone appreciated these forays into multiculturalism, however, and many called him a heretic.
What was Akbar's empire?
By the time he died, his empire extended to Afghanistan in the north, Sindh in the west, Bengal in the east, and the Godavari River in the south.Akbar’s success in creating his empire was as much a result of his ability to earn the loyalty of his conquered people as it was of his ability to conquer them.
How did Akbar die?
Akbar died in 1605. Some sources say Akbar became fatally ill with dysentery, while others cite a possible poisoning, likely traced to Akbar's son Jahangir. Many favored Jahangir’s eldest son, Khusrau, to succeed Akbar as emperor, but Jahangir forcefully ascended days after Akbar's death.
How did Akbar change his tax system?
In 1574 Akbar revised his tax system, separating revenue collection from military administration. Each subah, or governor, was responsible for maintaining order in his region, while a separate tax collector collected property taxes and sent them to the capital. This created checks and balances in each region since the individuals with the money had no troops, and the troops had no money, and all were dependent on the central government. The central government then doled out fixed salaries to both military and civilian personnel according to rank.
What age was Akbar the Great enthroned?
Enthroned at age 14 , Akbar the Great began his military conquests under the tutelage of a regent before claiming imperial power and expanding the Mughal Empire. Known as much for his inclusive leadership style as for his war mongering, Akbar ushered in an era of religious tolerance and appreciation for the arts.
What was Akbar's infallibility decree?
This became known as the “Infallibility Decree,” and it furthered Akbar’s ability to create an interreligious and multicultural state. In 1582 he established a new cult, the Din-i-Ilahi (“divine faith”), which combined elements of many religions, including Islam, Hinduism and Zoroastrianism.
Where was Akbar born?
The conditions of Akbar's birth in Umarkot, Sindh, India on October 15, 1542, gave no indication that he would be a great leader. Though Akbar was a direct descendent of Ghengis Khan, and his grandfather Babur was the first emperor of the Mughal dynasty, his father, Humayun, had been driven from the throne by Sher Shah Suri.
What is Akbar remembered for?
Apart from extending the borders of the Mughal Empire, Akbar is also remembered for his abilities as an administrator. As an example, revenues were fixed according to local conventions of cultivation and soil quality, and were paid in cash.
What is the Mughal Dynasty known for?
But the Mughal dynasty is not only well-known for its relation to Genghis; its existence also helps explain how Islam became such a prominent religion in India. The rulers of the Mughal (sometimes transliterated as Mogul) dynasty trace their roots to both Genghis Khan (through his second son, Chagatai Khan), and Timur.
How many emperors were there in the Mughal Empire?
In the 58 years that followed after the death of Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire had eight emperors, four of whom were murdered, and one deposed. Whilst the Mughals had a large army, their weapons and tactics were outdated , rendering them less efficient than they had been.
When was the Mughal Empire?
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2018. The Mughal Empire, 1526–1761. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/place/India/The-Mughal-Empire-1526-1761
Who was the ruler of the Mughals until 1605?
When the boy was old enough to rule on his own, he proved to be a formidable ruler, eventually becoming known as ‘Akbar the Great’. Akbar ruled the Mughals until 1605, and his reign was the beginning of the Mogul Golden Age.
Who was the last Mughal emperor?
The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was an emperor only in name. As a result of his involvement in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, he was tried, found guilty, and exiled to Rangoon (now known as Yangon), in Burma, where he died in 1862. Two elephants carrying the fish and sun insignia of Mughal sovereignty.
Who was the founder of the Mughal Empire?
The invasion of the Indian subcontinent by Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, was inspired by stories of the latter’s exploits. The Mughal Empire ended around the middle of the 19th century, though its decline had already begun a century and a half earlier. Portrait of Mughal Emperor Zahir ud-Din Mohammad (Babur).
How did Akbar help the Mughal Empire?
Akbar (reigned 1556–1605) was born Jalal-ud-din Muhammad in the Rajput Umarkot Fort, to Humayun and his wife Hamida Banu Begum, a Persian princess. Akbar succeeded to the throne under a regent, Bairam Khan, who helped consolidate the Mughal Empire in India. Through warfare and diplomacy, Akbar was able to extend the empire in all directions and controlled almost the entire Indian subcontinent north of the Godavari River. He created a new ruling elite loyal to him, implemented a modern administration, and encouraged cultural developments. He increased trade with European trading companies. India developed a strong and stable economy, leading to commercial expansion and economic development. Akbar allowed freedom of religion at his court, and attempted to resolve socio-political and cultural differences in his empire by establishing a new religion, Din-i-Ilahi, with strong characteristics of a ruler cult. He left his son an internally stable state, which was in the midst of its golden age, but before long signs of political weakness would emerge.
What was Babur's name for the Mughal Empire?
Name. Contemporaries referred to the empire founded by Babur as the Timurid empire, which reflected the heritage of his dynasty, and this was the term preferred by the Mughals themselves. The Mughal designation for their own dynasty was Gurkani ( Persian: گورکانیان , Gūrkāniyān, meaning "sons-in-law").
How did Shah Jahan extend the Mughal Empire to the Deccan?
Shah Jahan extended the Mughal empire to the Deccan by ending the Nizam Shahi dynasty, and forced the Adil Shahis and Qutb Shahis to pay tribute. Shah Jahan's eldest son, the liberal Dara Shikoh, became regent in 1658, as a result of his father's illness. Dara championed a syncretistic Hindu-Muslim culture.
What are the most important Mughal sites in South Asia?
Among the Mughal UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Asia are: Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Lahore Fort and the Taj Mahal, which is described as the "jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.".
How did the Mughal Empire balance its power?
Although the Mughal empire was created and sustained by military warfare, it did not vigorously suppress the cultures and peoples it came to rule, but balanced them by establishing new administrative practices, and incorporating diverse ruling elites, leading to more efficient, centralised, and standardised rule.
What was the base of the empire's wealth?
The base of the empire's collective wealth was agricultural taxes, instituted by the third Mughal emperor, Akbar. These taxes, which amounted to well over half the output of a peasant cultivator, were paid in the well-regulated silver currency, and caused peasants and artisans to enter larger markets.
Where did Mughal people produce cotton?
The most important centre of cotton production was the Bengal province, particularly around its capital city of Dhaka.
Early Life
Akbar Takes Power
- In 1555, Humayan died just months after retaking Delhi. Akbar ascended the Mughalthrone at the age of 13 and became Shahanshah ("King of Kings"). His regent was Bayram Khan, his childhood guardian and an outstanding warrior/statesman. The young emperor almost immediately lost Delhi once more to the Hindu leader Hemu. However, in November 1556, Generals Bayram Khan …
Intrigue and Further Expansion
- Although he was out from under Bayram Khan's control, Akbar still faced challenges to his authority from within the palace. The son of his nursemaid, a man called Adham Khan, killed another adviser in the palace after the victim discovered that Adham was embezzling tax funds. Enraged both by the murder and by the betrayal of his trust, Akbar had Adham Khan thrown fro…
Governing Style
- In order to control his vast empire, Akbar instituted a highly efficient bureaucracy. He appointed mansabars, or military governors, over the various regions; these governors answered directly to him. As a result, he was able to fuse the individual fiefdoms of India into a unified empire that would survive until 1868. Akbar was personally courageou...
Matters of Faith and Marriage
- From an early age, Akbar was raised in a tolerant milieu. Although his family was Sunni, two of his childhood tutors were Persian Shias. As an emperor, Akbar made the Sufi concept of Sulh-e-Kuhl, or "peace to all," a founding principle of his law. Akbar displayed remarkable respect for his Hindu subjects and their faith. His first marriage in 1562 was to Jodha Bai, or Harkha Bai, a Rajputprinc…
Foreign Relations
- As Akbar solidified his rule over northern India and began to extend his power south and west to the coast, he became aware of the new Portuguese presence there. Although the initial Portuguese approach to India had been "all guns blazing," they soon realized that they were no match militarily for the Mughal Empire on land. The two powers made treaties, under which the …
Death
- In October 1605, the 63-year-old Emperor Akbar suffered a serious bout of dysentery. After a three-week illness, he passed away at the end of that month. The emperor was buried in a beautiful mausoleum in the royal city of Agra.
Legacy
- Akbar's legacy of religious toleration, firm but fair central control, and liberal tax policies that gave commoners a chance to prosper established a precedent in India that can be traced forward in the thinking of later figures such as Mohandas Gandhi. His love of art led to the fusion of Indian and Central Asian/Persian styles that came to symbolize the height of Mughal achievement, in form…
Sources
- Alam, Muzaffar and Sanjay Subrahmanyam. "The Deccan Frontier and Mughal Expansion, ca. 1600: Contemporary Perspectives," Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient, Vol. 47, No. 3 (20...
- Habib, Irfan. "Akbar and Technology," Social Scientist, Vol. 20, No. 9/10 (Sept.-Oct. 1992).
- Richards, John F. The Mughal Empire, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1996).
- Alam, Muzaffar and Sanjay Subrahmanyam. "The Deccan Frontier and Mughal Expansion, ca. 1600: Contemporary Perspectives," Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient, Vol. 47, No. 3 (20...
- Habib, Irfan. "Akbar and Technology," Social Scientist, Vol. 20, No. 9/10 (Sept.-Oct. 1992).
- Richards, John F. The Mughal Empire, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1996).
- Smith, Vincent A. Akbar the Great Mogul, 1542-1605, Oxford: Clarendon Press (1919).
