Islamic India: History of the Mughal Dynasty in India

Akbar was one of the greatest Indian rulers of pre-colonial era. He was the third emperor of the Mughal Dynasty which was founded by Babar.

Babar

Babar was born in present day Uzbekistan. Babar first invaded Delhi and Agra in the 16^th century from the Rajputs and Lodhis to set up the first Muslim rule in India. The Rajputs were a clan of warriors who ruled over Rajasthan and Gujarat and the Lodhis were Afghans ruling over Delhi.

Babar was a military genius and skilful warrior. He also displayed a love for art, poetry and nature. He was succeeded by his eldest son Humayun.

Humayun

When Humayun ascended the throne he faced immediate attacks from the Rajputs and Afghans. After a major defeat in 1540, he had to flee from India to Iran. There he met Hamida Bano whom he married, and in 1542, their first son Akbar was born. For more than a decade, Humayun was unable to regain a foothold and Akbar spent his childhood learning hunting and fighting in the rough terrains of Afghanistan. This situation also prevented Akbar from gaining literary skills.

However, in 1555, Humayun recaptured his territories with the help of Persian forces. Unlike Babar, Humayun was more of a gentleman than a warrior and gave importance to astrology and mathematics. However, he could rule for only a year. A fatal accident took his life and Akbar had to inherit the throne at the young age of 14 years.

Akbar

Akbar was helped in the stupendous task of ruling by Bairam Khan, an able General of Humayun, during his initial years. However, Akbar’s closeness to his nurse and aunt Maham Anga led to misunderstandings between Bairam Khan and Akbar. Maham Anga herself had designs of taking over the kingdom for which she influenced Akbar to oust Bairam. In 1560, with all due respect and honour, Akbar sent Bairam Khan to Mecca on Hajj. On his way, Bairam was stabbed to death by an Afghan in revenge to his father’s death in a battle led by Bairam.

in 1561, Maham Anga’s son Adham Khan murdered Akbar’s favourite general Shams-ud-Din. Adham Khan was hence executed by Akbar, the grief of which gradually took away the life of Maham Anga. 

Administration was now solely Akbar’s responsibility and with time he proved to be an efficient ruler. Though he was illiterate, he amassed knowledge by asking his courtiers to read out to him from his vast collection of books and scriptures. Akbar encouraged art, music, poetry and dance in his court. He was one of the rare Muslim leaders who extended friendship to non-Hindus. In fact, Akbar married a Rajput princess, Hira Kunwari, who is referred to as Jodhabai in modern times. He also had many Hindu administrators. Also, Akbar’s love for architecture is witnessed in the famous structures of Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. 

Akbar had three sons, two of whom died at a young age. The last prince, Jahangir, always had differences with his father. This led to revolts and battles between them which emotionally affected Akbar and led to his death in 1605. Akbar’s tomb, Sikandara is located in his favourite city, Agra.