Emperor Akbar: History, Life, Achievements

Emperor Akbar was the third Mughal emperor of India and one of the most successful and beloved rulers in the country’s history. He reigned from 1556 to 1605, and during his time in power, he expanded the Mughal empire to its greatest extent, unified the country’s diverse religious and cultural traditions, and promoted religious tolerance. In this blog, we will delve into the life journey of the Mughal Emperor.

Emperor Akbar
Akbar Full Name	Abū al-Fatḥ Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Akbar
Year of Birth	15 October,1542
Year of Death	25 October, 1605
Age	63 years
Reason for Death	Dysentery
Mughal Emperor	Third Mughal Emperor

What was the Early Life of Emperor Akbar?

Akbar was born on October 15, 1542,Umerkot, Sindh, now Pakistan. His father, Humayun, was the second Mughal emperor of India, and his mother, Hamida Banu Begum, was a Persian princess. His full name was Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar.

He was born into a time of turmoil, as the Mughal Empire was still in its early stages of development and was facing challenges from both within and outside its borders. Despite these challenges, in 1556, Akbar ascended to the throne at the age of 13 and became the third Mughal emperor. 

Jalaluddin Akbar was an ambitious ruler, and he quickly set about consolidating his power and expanding the empire. He defeated the Afghans and reconquered much of northern India. He also launched campaigns in the south, east, and west, and by the end of his reign, the Mughal empire stretched from the Hindu Kush mountains to the Bay of Bengal.

Also Read- What If Akbar The Great Had Gone To Study Abroad

What were Emperor Jalaluddin Akbar’s Achievements?

Akbar the Great was a multifaceted ruler. He was a brilliant military strategist, a tolerant and enlightened ruler, and a great patron of the arts and sciences.  His court was a hub of creativity, attracting poets, artists, and scholars from across the globe. Some of his achievements and legacy include –

Cultural Achievements

• The illustrious “Nine Jewels” or “Navratnas” of his court, including figures like Birbal and Tansen, contributed to a cultural renaissance in the Mughal Empire.
• He founded the city of Fatehpur Sikri, which was a center of learning and culture. He also established a library that contained 24,000 books, and he commissioned scholars to translate works from other languages into Persian.
• Ain-i-Akbari, a comprehensive account of Akbar’s reign was compiled giving the idea of the literature works in those times.

Also Read – Navratnas of Akbar: Birbal, Tansen and More

Religious Achievements

• He abolished the jizya, a tax that was imposed on non-Muslims, and he appointed Hindus and Muslims to high positions in his government. 
• Encouraged interfaith dialogue and debate, and he created a new religious movement called Din-i-Ilahi, which was based on the principles of all major religions. Akbar’s message of religious harmony remains relevant today.

In addition to his political and religious achievements, Akbar was also a skilled diplomat and administrator.  

Political Achievements

• He introduced a centralized administrative structure
• Established a uniform system of revenue collection. 
• Akbar built a strong military that helped to protect the empire from its enemies. His victories in battles like the Second Battle of Panipat and the Siege of Ranthambore are legendary. 
• Introduced a new Military Structure.

However, he was also a ruthless conqueror who was responsible for the deaths of many people.

Despite his flaws, Akbar is still considered one of the greatest rulers in Indian history. His achievements in the areas of politics, religion and culture have had a lasting impact on the country. 

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What was Akbar’s Contribution as an Emperor?

Akbar’s contributions are many and varied. He expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest extent, and he introduced a number of reforms that improved the lives of his subjects. He was also a great patron of the arts and sciences.

Some of Akbar’s most notable contributions include:

• Expanding the Mughal Empire to its greatest extent
• Introducing a centralized government based on merit and efficiency
• Introducing a fair and equitable tax system
• Promoting religious harmony and cultural exchange
• Patronizing the arts and sciences
• Building many beautiful mosques, palaces and other public buildings
• Establishing schools and libraries throughout the empire

Also Read – Samudragupta Maurya– The Indian Napolean 

Famous Monuments by Akbar

Some of the most famous monuments built by Akbar include:

• The Red Fort in Agra

• Fatehpur Sikri

• The Buland Darwaza in Fatehpur Sikri

• The Panch Mahal in Fatehpur Sikri

• The Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi

Akbar’s reign was a golden age for the Mughal empire. He died on 27th, October 1605 at Fatehpur Sikri and was succeeded by his son Jahangir. He brought peace and prosperity to the country, and he promoted a culture of tolerance and understanding. It also is a reminder that even the most powerful leaders can be flawed, but that they can also be agents of positive change.

Interesting Facts About Akbar

Some fun and unknown facts about Akbar are – 

1. Akbar for his administration had 4 capitals  – Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Lahore and Delhi
2.  He was the longest-ruling emperor in the Mughal Empire.
3. Akbar became a vegetarian after his mid-life.
4. He had Cheetahs as his pet animals.
5. He was fond of hunting and had once killed a tigress with his own sword.

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