Biography of Akbar the Great (Mughal Emperor):-

 

Akbar (1556-1605 A.D.):-

   Akbar, also known as Akbar the Great, ascended the throne of Mughal Empire at the young age of 14 in 1556.

    After the sudden death of his father, Humayun, the new young emperor (Akbar) succeeded to a difficult position. The Afghans had still enough military power and they were regrouping their forces under the Afghan leader Ali Adil Shah and his Hindu General Hemu.

    At that time Akbar and his wazir and guardian Bairam Khan, a loyal friend of Humayun, was in the Punjab. On hearing the catastrophic news of the fall of Delhi they proceeded towards Delhi. Hemu also marched towards the Punjab.

Fall of Bairam Khan:-

     Bairam Khan remained at the helm of affairs of the state for about four years. During his regency Gwalior, Ajmer and Jaunpur were captured. Akbar was growing up and he wanted to rule the realm himself. Bairam Khan was dismissed and was asked to go to Mecca. On his way to Mecca he was assassinated by an Afghan soldier who bore personal grudge against him.

   After the fall of Bairam Khan for a time Akbar’s foster mother Maham Anga and some of her close relatives wielded the power. But in 1564, at the age of twenty, Akbar took full control of the empire in his own hands.

 

Akbar’s Conquest:-

   Akbar was an imperialist. After the fall of Bairam Akbar had to face several rebellions. These rebellions created an opinion in Akbar’s mind that existence of other states, big or small, were dangerous for the paramount power. Some writers like Abut Fazal, however, said that Akbar had wanted to extend the empire to provide good government to the peoples living in other states. In the initial years of his reign, Akbar abolished Pilgrim’s Tax in 1563 and Jiziya in 1564.

 

 

Rajputs policy of Akbar:-

   After the conquest of Gondwana Akbar turned his attention to Rajputana. Akbar felt that for the safety of the Mughal Empire and for expansion towards western and southern India, Rajputana was strategically important.

 

 

Other Conquests:-

   After Mewar Akbar turned his eyes to the rich province of Gujarat. The ports of Gujarat were important as centers of trade with West Asia and Europe. In 1572 Akbar invaded Gujarat and conquered Ahmedabad. Next year he again came to Gujarat, conquered the rich port Surat and annexed the province. Akbar’s empire now extended to the sea and he could profit by the rich commerce passing through Surat and other western ports.

 

 

Akbar’s religious policy:-

   Akbar was very tolerant in his religious views. In his childhood he was impressed by the liberal religious ideas of his teacher, Abdul Latif and Sufism. In cherishing liberal views towards the Hindus and Rajputs these impressions had a role.

 

Akbar’s cultural life and his Court:-

   Perhaps it is wrong to assume that Akbar was an illiterate person as many historians say. He was a man of refined taste and had profound knowledge in various fields of art and architecture. He had a very good library. Many learned and talented persons were assembled in his court and so it became a centre of learning.