Akbar

:This article is about an Emperor. For the Fez wearing cartoon character, see Life in Hell.

Political career

Akbar was born at Umarkot in Sind on October 15, 1543. His father, Humayun, was driven from the throne of India in a series of decisive battles by the Afghan Sher Shah Suri. After more than twelve years' exile, Humayun regained his sovereignty, though he held it for only a few months before his death in 1556. Akbar succeeded his father the same year under the regency of Bairam Khan, a Turkoman noble whose zeal in repelling pretenders to the throne and severity in maintaining the discipline of the army helped greatly in the consolidation of the newly recovered empire. When order was somewhat restored, Akbar took the reins of government into his own hands with a proclamation issued in March 1560.

Related Topics:
Umarkot - Sind - October 15 - 1543 - Humayun - India - Afghan - Sher Shah Suri - Bairam Khan - Turkoman - March - 1560

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It is speculated by historians that Bairam Khan attempted to de-throne or murder Akbar when he came of age, or led an army against his loyalists. It is also suggested that Akbar, suspicious of Khan's ambitions and loyalties, encouraged him to perform a pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia and had him killed by an agent.

Related Topics:
Mecca - Saudi Arabia

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On November 5, 1556, fifty miles north of Delhi, a Mughal army defeated Hindu forces of General Hemu at the Second battle of Panipat, granting the throne of India to Akbar.

Related Topics:
November 5 - Delhi - Hindu - Hemu - Second battle of Panipat

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When Akbar ascended the throne, only a small portion of what had formerly comprised the Mughal empire was still under his control, and he devoted himself to the recovery of the remaining provinces. He expanded the Mughal empire to include Malwa (1562), Gujarat (1572), Bengal (1574), Kabul (1581), Kashmir (1586) and Kandesh (1601), among others. Akbar installed a governor over each of the conquered provinces, under his authority.

Related Topics:
Malwa - 1562 - Gujarat - 1572 - Bengal - 1574 - Kabul - 1581 - Kashmir - 1586 - Kandesh - 1601

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Akbar did not want to have his court tied too closely to the city of Delhi. He ordered the court moved to Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra, but when this proved untenable, he set up a roaming camp that let him keep a close eye on what was happening throughout the empire. He tried to develop and encourage commerce, and had the land accurately surveyed for the purpose of correctly evaluating taxation and he gave strict instructions to prevent extortion on the part of the tax gatherers.

Related Topics:
Delhi - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra

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