February 15, 1556
Kalanaur near Gurdaspur
A sturdy lad of 13, seated on a hastily put together throne, accepted the allegiance of nobles present on the occasion gracefully. His tutor and mentor, Bairam Khan, a noble from Persia and a loyal friend of Humayun, had placed the symbol of royalty, ‘the crown’ on Akbar’s head and declared him successor to his father Humayun. No one present there would have visualized that this young ruler would one day become one of the greatest Mughal Emperors ruling over India.
CHILDHOOD
Hamida Banu Begum and Humayun were in exile and lived in the shelter provided by Rana Virsal of Amarkot (Umarkot, presently in Pakistan) in Sindh, when Akbar was born on October 15, 1542.
For one year, Humayun’s brother Askari held Akbar hostage, but did not harm him. Humayun with help from a Persian ruler defeated Askari and took his son back.
EDUCATION
When Akbar was above 5 years of age, arrangements were made for his education and a tutor was selected for the purpose. The person appointed proved to be inefficient as he taught the art of flying pigeons rather than that of rudiments of letters. His successor, a more conscientious man, stayed for several years and tried his best. A third and a fourth followed him. All the efforts bore little fruits. Akbar was an idle boy from the schoolmaster’s point of view, and never learnt to read or write. He was unable even to read or sign his own name.
In his boyhood be was fond of animals and devoted much of his time to camels, horses, dogs and pigeons. He faired excellently in all martial exercises like, riding, swordplay and so forth. Though he did not read the book himself he loved if others read it for him. Just listening to the people, he learned by heart the mystic verses of the Sufi poets, Hafiz and Jalalu-d-din Rumi. He had developed an extraordinary memory at an early age.
It was a great irony that Akbar, the son of Humayun, a lover of books and a man of no small learning, was illiterate.
EARLY RESPONSIBILITIES
In 1557 when another brother of Humayun, Hindal, died, Akbar was given the charge of Ghazni. At about this time Humayun decided to make another bid to reconquer Hindustan (India). Munim Khan was made Akbar’s guardian. The conquest of Delhi was made by this tutor but official records credited it to Akbar who was declared the heir-apparent. Now put in charge of Lahore as the governor, Akbar’s new guardian was the Persian noble, Bairam Khan, a close and loyal friend of Humayun.
DEATH OF HUMAYUN
Akbar’s accession was announced in Delhi on February 11, 1556 after Humayun’s sudden demise when he slipped from the steps of a ladder in his library building. Bairam Khan promptly coronated the new ruler three days later. He became the Regent for the minor king and ably assisted him for another four years.
REGENCY AND REBELLION
Akbar was fortunate to have Bairam Khan as his Regent at a time when he was surrounded by hostile situations. However, Akbar himself possessed extraordinary courage, ambition and acumen besides natural abilities.
Bairam Khan made the Mughal hold stronger in the territories reconquered by Humayun, put down rebellion within Akbar’s own camp and won the battle for Akbar.
When he was 18, Akbar no longer wanted a regent and asked Bairam Khan to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Stunned, Bairam Khan rebelled, though half-heartedly, as deep within he loved Akbar and had confidence in his capabilities. Bairam’s troops were defeated and imprisoned. Brought in the royal presence, he was pardoned magnanimously and offered to be reinstated if he wished to. But Bairam Khan chose to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. However, before he could reach the borders of India, he was murdered.
Akbar was still not fully independent as his nurse Maham Anga still exercised a good deal of influence on him. He sent her son Adham Khan to Malwa to defeat Bag Bahadur. Adham Khan easily defeated him but kept back most of the captured possessions. Akbar marched to punish him, but pardoned when his mother Maham Anga pleaded for his life. Adham was left in charge of Malwa. When he continued to inflict great miseries on the people, he was recalled and put to death. Maham Anga died of grief a few months later and Akbar was free of the overpowering influences.
MARRIAGES
Akbar married several times. His first wife, Ruquaiya Begum, was the daughter of his uncle Hindal, whom he had replaced as governor at Ghazni. It is said that his "harem" contained somewhere between 300 to 500 women. However, the most important marriage of his life was to the Amber princess Jodha Bai, who became the mother of his heir apparent, Salim. He named the child after Saint Salim Chisti of Sikri whose blessings begot him an heir to the throne.
CHILDREN
Akbar had numerous children through his wives and concubines. Salim, the heir apparent was born on August 30, 1569. Besides Salim, he had two other sons – Murad (b. 1570) and Daniyal (b. 1572) born to concubines. He had three daughters too, named Khanam Sultan, Shukru-n nisa Begam and Aram Bano Begam. Murad and Daniyal were sidelined from the very beginning. They however, drank themselves to
death, in 1599 and 1605 respectively. Salim too was on the way to self-destruction but was pulled away with great effort on the
part of Akbar and other family members. Salim rebelled and from 1602 till 1604, the father and the son made uneasy
reconciliations.
HIS PERSONALITY
Akbar had an imposing personality. He was of sturdy built and stood 5’ 7" tall. He had a broad forehead but a remarkably small slightly flared nose. He sported a small well trimmed moustache, had bright sparkling eyes and a thundering voice to match. He possessed, in short, the true personality of a monarch. He wore a long tunic of silk with gold thread that touched his knees. His turban was decorated with pearls and gems, tied on his head in a combination of Hindu and Muslim style. His trousers were tied at the heels by strings of pearls and he carried a dagger in his girdle.
Physically powerful, there are legends about his exploits when he fought a lioness bare-handed, tamed a wild elephant, etc.
Although he could not read or write himself, he patronized the arts and architecture. He himself designed and founded the city of Fatehpur Sikri and made it his capital for some time. His political acumen is obvious in his policies and attitudes. His organizational ability is evident in his administration. His judgement in his choice of men; his military genius indicated by strategies adopted; sense of loyalty aroused, conciliatory treatment meted out to adversaries among others, was amply on display his character.
A dutiful son, indulgent brother and father, Akbar was also a loving husband to his wives. He looked after all their needs. Akbar was deeply religious and had great faith in the Almighty. He was a curious student of philosophy of other religions and respected them.
He was not, however, as perfect a man as Abu-l-Fazl would have us believe. He did not rise above some immoral practices of the time, such as marrying often, drinking, duplicity, giving in to violent temper at times, ordering massacres, inflicting unjust punishments, etc. To be fair, however, we must also admit that Akbar’s lapses were rare and lasted for a short period, and unlike his contemporaries, he knew the value of moderation, which he himself practiced.
A VISIONARY
Akbar’s reign is an epic of untiring efforts and brilliant achievements. Conquests were meaningless if the empire was not consolidated by the backbone of administration, income and consistent policies which made it stable. Akbar tried tirelessly to make his empire a well-knit whole by various means.
ADMINISTRATION
Taking cue from Sher Shah Suri’s genius that shone even during his short reign, Akbar designed his own administrative edifice suitable for a large territory. Sher Shah had created administrative units of Parganas and Sarkars. To them Akbar added a larger unit of Suba. The total effect was a federal set up. The Subas were under the Viceroy called Subedars who enjoyed military and civil authority in their provinces.
The king occupied the central position. He had absolute power. He worked with help of a council of ministers headed by the Vazir (Prime Minister). They simply carried out the royal orders.
BUREAUCRACY
Based on the pattern followed in Persia, Mughal bureaucracy was a graded system, essentially military in character. Each official held a mansab, or a post of rank and profit. Basically, he was to supply a certain quota of troops to the Emperor. Also, he was to maintain these troops throughout the year. These officials also rendered services in general and judicial administration as and when necessary
REVENUE AND FINANCE
Sher Shah’s initiative was very well developed for revenue administration of the empire. It was Raja Todar Mal, who introduced important reforms like measurement of land, classification of land, and assessment of taxes. Detailed records were kept and tax was levied only for the land actually cultivated that year. All these reforms improved the lot of peasants.
By the side of each provincial governor (called Subedar, and later on Nawab) was placed a civil administrator (Diwan) who supervised revenue collection, prepared accounts and directly reported to the Emperor. Several other departments were also created to execute the royal will.
A network of news-reporters were appointed who reported important events regularly to the emperor.
LAW AND JUSTICE
The medieval Indian judicial system was based on Islamic law which divided people into ‘believers’ and ‘non-believers’. The latter are not recognized as citizens of the state. Islamic law applied to both classes. In India the Hindus being numerous and 70% of them living in rural areas, the Muslim rulers had to provide a judicial set up only in cities. Hindus in villages were allowed to follow their own traditions. Only in criminal cases, Islamic law was applied even to the non-Muslims.
Akbar carried on the judicial system he inherited. He made some minor changes in order to make it more efficient, extended customary laws for better coverage. The king was the highest ranked judge in the Empire. Next came chief Sadr under whom the provincial, district and city Qazis served. Muftis were often appointed to help Qazis in specific work. Besides trying the cases, Qazi also inspected jails and conditions of the prisoners. He was also a trustee of Waqfs (welfare trusts) in his jurisdiction.
The organization of courts and their relation to one another were rather crude and vague. The higher courts not only heard appeals but also invited cases. No fixed route of appeal was indicated from one court to another.
Moreover, the executive and judicial functions were not separate. The law was not properly codified. Criminal law of Islam was very severe, with punishments bearing out of proportion of guilt. These included imprisonment for various terms of internment and fine, confiscation of property, flogging, mutilation of limbs, banishment and execution.
AKBAR’S REFORMS
Akbar’s catholicity made him undertake certain socio-religious reformist steps and policies as well. He had a broad vision, was always ready to receive new ideas and concepts right from the age of 20. He abolished the practice of enslaving war prisoners. In 1563, he abolished the pilgrim tax on Hindus. At the same time in 1564, he abolished jezia, (religious tax for all pious Muslims) a revolutionary step at the time.
He also removed restrictions on building new temples and churches, allowed Hindus to get reconverted. He discouraged child marriage, forbade marriages between cousins and other close relations, punished drunkenness and disorderly public behaviour, attempted to control prostitution, and prohibited Sati (widows burning themselves into the pyre of their husbands) as an obligation of Hindu widows.
PATRONAGE
Mughal elite enjoyed great wealth; liberal patronage was given to painters, musicians and scholars. Luxury industry flourished greatly. Akbar supported workshops for the production of high quality textiles and ornaments.
LITERATURE
Persian language had entered India with the advent of the Muslims and gained popularity. Akbar loved to hear books read out to him. During Akbar's reign outstanding historical accounts, poetical works and collection of letters were written. Akabarnama and Ain-I-Akbari by Abul Fazl and other great works were written by Nizamuddin Ahmed, Badayuni and Sheikh Illahad Faizi Surhindi, Abdul Baqi etc. under his patronage. He engaged experts to translate a number of Sanskrit classics into Persian. Sanskrit had apparently lost its creativity since 13th century, but some notable Sanskrit works were also composed at this time. However, Sanskrit was patronized only by Hindu rulers, mostly the Vijaynagar state and later by the Marathas.
HINDI
Akbar’s period is called the golden period for Hindi poetry. The congenial atmosphere
of his policies of tolerance made great classic works of art and literature come forth. Although, Tulsi Das was Akbar’s contemporary, Akbar was not aware of the poet, who occupies a great place in Indian literature. Surdas, attached to Akbar’s court, was known as the blind bard of Agra. Even Muslims now imbibed Indian ways so well that they must be mentioned – such as Abdur Rahim Khan Khana who was master of Persian, Arabic and Turki besides Sanskrit, Rajasthani and Hindi. Ras Khan also carved a niche for himself by composing exemplary pieces on Krishna’s life in Vrindaban. Due to the patronage of the court and nobles, Hindi was fast becoming the language of the people at large.
PAINTING
Although Quran prohibited such arts, like many other Muslim rulers, Akbar loved and patronized them. He brought reputed artists from central Asia. This school mingled with Indian painting traditions to produce a new school altogether. Hindu painters rose to fame at this time such as Daswanth, Basawan, Kesu Lal and many others. Some were even retained to illustrate the Rasmnama, the Persian translation of the Mahabharata.
Akbar created a special Department of Painting, which was entrusted to a renowned painter of Persia, Abdus Sawad. Artists were enrolled as royal servants and were granted mansabs.
ARCHITECTURE
Akbar’s artistic taste and cultural ideas are revealed in the monuments belonging to his era. Most of these were constructed at Fatehpur Sikri. This city was built in honor of the famous Saint Salim Chisti, where Akbar was blessed and Prince Salim was born to Jodha Bai. Akbar made Fatehpur Sikri his capital from 1569 to 1585.
The Sikri buildings blend Hindu and Muslim architectural ideas harmoniously. Its most impressive buildings are Jami Masjid and the Buland Darwaja. Others are Jodha Bai’s Palace, Mariam’s Palace, Jahangir Mahal Diwan-e-Khan, Diwan-e-Am, the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti and the Panch Mahal.
MUSIC
Akbar himself was well versed in music and played Naqqaras well. So naturally, he was a patron of music and Tansen was one of the Nine Gems who graced his court. Tansen belonged to Gwalior. He possessed a most distinguished classical voice and he invented some new ragas. Other remarkable musicians were Baiju Bawra, Baba Ramdas etc. "Gharanas" (Schools of different styles of music) were rarely referred to before Akbar’s time. After Tansen’s death the "Senia" Gharana or the Gwalior school of music was formed. However, some scholars feel that the vanis (verbosity) styles of singing of Dhrupad were akin to gharanas, as we know them today.
EXPANDING THE BOUNDRIES
The erstwhile prime minister of Adil Shah, Hemu declared himself a ruler and adopted the title of Vikramaditya. Although his hold on Punjab was not very secure, Akbar decided to march against Hemu. The arch enemies fought the battle on the historic field of Panipat in 1556 (Second Battle of Panipat). After some initial gains by vast army of Hemu, the Mughal army’s agility paid off. Finally, Hemu fainted when he was struck by an arrow in the eye. His army was too frightened to lose their leader and panicked. Hemu was defeated, imprisoned and killed. Sikandar Suri also submitted to Akbar in 1557.
Akbar now eyed Malwa, a strategically placed state under a weak ruler Bag Bahadur. Adham Khan easily captured its capital and treasury. He invited Akbar’s wrath when he did not send the amount due to the emperor. He was pardoned as his mother was Akbar’s childhood nurse, Maham Anga. Next year, however, Adham Khan was put to death for inflicting miseries on the people of Malwa. He similarly chastised Khan Zaman who had captured Jaunpur but did not send enough booty. However, Akbar pardoned him and sent him on to capture Chunargarh from the Afghans, which he did in 1561.
In January 1562, Akbar made the first of his many pilgrimages to the mausoleum of Shaikh Moinuddin Chisti at Ajmer. On the way the Rajput ruler of Amber (Jaipur), Raja Bhar Mall submitted himself and his state to Akbar and offered his daughter’s hand in marriage to him. Realizing the significance of this gesture, Akbar accepted the offer, and on his way back to Delhi married the Kachhwaha princess.
In 1562, Merta was taken. Gondwana’s wise and just ruler, Durgavati took her own life to escape dishonour when she was defeated by the Mughal army.
FACING ADVERSITY
Akbar now turned to Chittor, the capital of Mewar, which was reputed to have an impregnable fort. Its ruler Rana Uday Singh openly refused to accept Akbar’s superiority.
On September 1567, Mughal armies besieged Chittor. For a long time, neither side gave in. Rana was shifted to a safe place in Aravalli Hills. In the meantime, Akbar’s chance shot seriously injured Jaimall, the keeper of the Fort. The attendants lost heart, their women committed Jauhar (Voluntary burning themselves alive to avoid disgrace). The next day, they fought tooth and nail against the Mughals, but lost. Unlike himself, Akbar ordered a general massacre within the city as he entered. The victims numbered 30,000 and more. This needless brutality left an indelible blot on his character.
Mewar’s ruler did not give in as Chittor fell, but retained most of his territories.
THE CROWING GLORY
But Karram, the ruler of Patna submitted to Akbar. In 1569, Kalinjar laid down arms. Ranthambhor was also overpowered. In 1570, Akbar visited Nagpur, where other Rajput rulers submitted to him through Bhagwan Das of Amber.
The emperor now turned his attention to Gujarat. It had been under Humayun for a short while and its vast riches attracted Akbar. Its ruler Muzaffar Shah III was a powerless puppet in the hands of his ambitious and selfish nobles. Akbar’s rebellious relatives, the Mirzas, had taken shelter there and this provided a good reason for invasion. During a civil war which waged here, one Imtiad Khan appealed for help and Akbar got his long awaited opportunity. His large army met with little resistance and the ruler was taken prisoner. Appointing his own governor, Khan Azam (Mirza Aziz Koka), Akbar proceeded to Cambay (Khambhat) where he received merchants of Turkey, Persia, Syria, Trans Oceana and Portugal. In December 1572, he defeated Ibrahim Mirza and captured Surat in 1573.
As soon as his back was turned the news of the rebellion in Gujarat reached Akbar. He started from Fatehpur Sikri at a lightning speed, travelling 450 miles in merely 11 days ! The unbelieving nobles were thunder struck by his sudden appearance, and were defeated quickly. Mughal rule was now firmly established there.
BATTLE OF HALDI GHATI
Chittor’s Rana Uday Singh and his indomitable son Rana Pratap (crowned king in 1572) had pledged to resist the Mughals till their deaths. Determined to conquer the rest of Mewar, Akbar sent Man Singh to lead the attack. Rana Pratap’s tiny army clashed with the gigantic Mughal troops at Haldi Ghati in June 1576. The usual story of the Hindu armies repeated itself here too. A Rajput named Binda impersonated Pratap for some time in the field and was killed. Thinking its leader had fallen, the Rajput army lost heart and the battle was over. The losses on both the sides were heavy. Although Man Singh occupied most of Mewar, the Sisodiya king refused to give in, to accept overlordship of Akbar, or to have matrimonial alliance with him.
OVERCOMING THE OBSTACLES
In 1585, Akbar sent troops to fight troublesome tribes towards Lahore, one army was led by Raja Birbal, who was unfortunately killed in the battle.
In 1586, Akbar conquered Kashmir. Its ruler accepted Akbar’s overlordship. When he came to visit Akbar, he was arrested as Akbar disapproved of the terms he set for the peace. His son, Yakub Khan, escaped from there and resisted, but was overcome and Kashmir was annexed to the empire.
For the conquest of Sindh, Akbar assigned Abdur Rahim (Khan-i-Khanan). By 1591, Sindh was annexed. In 1590, Raja Man Singh conquered Orissa, which was annexed. In 1595, Mir Masum, a gifted general of Akbar, attacked the fort of Sibi, and compelled the Pani Afghans to surrender entire Baluchistan to Akbar.
In 1595, the Persian governor of Kandahar, Muzaffar Husain Mirza was dissatisfied with authorities in Tehran. He handed over peacefully, the powerful fortress of Kandhar to Akbar.
Akbar was an insatiable expansionist, and cherished the ambition of owning Muslim kingdoms down south. His diplomatic mission in 1591 brought in voluntary submission only from Khandesh. Abdur Rahim was now charged to proceed and take Ahmednagar by force, while Murad, Akbar’s second son, was to be associated in command. Chand Bibi defended her state heroically. No decisive victory could be established. Both were recalled and Abu-l-Fazl was put in charge. Daulatabad fell before his arrival and in 1600, Ahmednagar was captured by Akbar.
In the meantime Khandesh’s new ruler prepared to fight from Asirgarh. In 1599, Akbar captured its capital Burhampur and laid siege to Asirgarh. After a long fight, Miran Bahadur was cornered into submission, Khandesh was annexed.
Attempts to conquer Mewar continued unsuccessfully. Man Singh was called back because of the failure. In 1597 when Rana Pratap died, Akbar had the opportunity, but was too occupied elsewhere to take it. The next Sisodiya king, Amar Singh, therefore, continued to rule. Mewar could never be conquered and annexed.
In 1581, the half brother of Akbar, Mirza Muhammad Hakim of Kabul, set his eyes on India. He was encouraged by designs of nobles of Bengal and Bihar who were disgruntled against Akbar due to his lenient policy with the Rajputs and Hindus. They read the Khutba in Hakim’s name to declare their revolt. Akbar decided to remove the cause as well as the means – the threat from Kabul. His military was well prepared to proceed and attack Kabul. Hakim marched but found no opposition to Akbar in the northern area as he had been told by Mirzas of Bengal and Bihar. Disappointed to find no welcome from Muslims of Punjab, he hastily beat retreat. But Akbar nabbed him by sending Man Singh to lead Kabul.
THE EXTENT OF EMPIRE
By 1604 Akbar’s empire, covered a vast area. It stretched from Kandhar and Kabul in the north, to Ahmednagar and Asirgarh in the south, and from Surat in the west to Cooch-Behar in the east. It was a remarkable feat, for when Akbar had begun his reign in 1556, the control of even the key cities of Delhi and Agra was uncertain. Akbar’s skill, persistence and ambitious spirit produced rich rewards, making him rule over the largest empire of his time.
MORTAL END
Akbar fell ill on September 21, 1605, and his dysentery grew worse. He was kept under acute observation for a week. Meanwhile, Man Singh and others conspired against Prince Salim to supersede him with the grandson of Akbar. But Salim somehow sensed the impending doom and never turned up even to pay respect to his ailing father. No medicine could be of help any more to Akbar. Salim, with the consent of the noblemen of the court, and promising them of his devotion to Islam and no penalty on the supporters of Khusru, came at last to pay a visit to Akbar. As he was leaving, Akbar signed to bestow upon him the royal turban and the sword of Humayun to him, indicating the change of power into his hands. Soon afterwards, he tried to utter the name of God several time and died at midnight of October 27, 1605. His funeral was performed in accordance with Muslim rites and was buried at Sikandara, five miles from Agra.
Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, the true founder of the Mughal Empire reigned from Afghanistan to the Bay of Bengal and from the Himalayas to the Godavari River in south. He was the most powerful face on Earth in the 16th century.
Just at the age of 13 an illiterate prince was crowned emperor who proved himself a skilled conqueror and administrator. Not only did he expand his empire’s peripheries but also explored the various fields of art and patronized them. It were those ‘nine jewels’ (nau-ratna) coveting various fields, which pillared his vast empire for almost half a century. His valor definitely played the lead in expanding boundaries but equally true is the fact that no sword can suppress revolt this long however mighty if it had not penetrate the mind and soul of lay-man.
Akbar ruled, when conspiracies were common in every walk of life.
The span for which an emperor ruled depended on the failure or success of various conspiracies at the time. Above all the reforms he made, like removal of Jizya tax; marital alliance with Hindus; acknowledging good art; reflected his desire to propogate harmony and peace. The solid proof was Din-i-illahi, which was the compilation of the best things from every religion.
• 1542 Born at Umarkot.
• 1543 Humayun’s brother Askari took him to Kandahar.
• 1544 Humayun, defeating Askari, retrieved Akbar unharmed.
• 1547 Akbar’s education began through numerous tutors.
• 1551-1552 Akbar put in charge of Ghazni.
Married Hindal’s daughter.
• 1555 Victory at Sirhind credited to Akbar who was declared heir-apparent.
• 1556 Accidental death of Humayun. Akbar coronated.
Battle of Panipat.
Hemu is defeated.
• 1556-1560 Regency, rebellion and death of Bairam Khan.
• 1561 Malwa, Jaunpur and Chunargarh conquered.
• 1562 Amber (Jaipur) ruler submitted and gave his daughter in marriage to Akbar.
Malwa rebellion was crushed.
Adham Khan’s death
Enslaving of war prisoners abolished.
• 1563 Abolition of Pilgrim Tax.
• 1564 Conquest of Gondwana.
• 1567-68 Siege of Chittor.
Ranthambhor overpowered.
• 1569 Surrender of Kalinjar.
• 1570 Submission of Marwar.
• 1572-73 Conquest of Gujarat.
• 1573 Crushed the rebellion in Gujarat.
• 1574-75 Conquest of Bihar and Bengal.
• 1576 No decisive success in the Battle of Haldi Ghati.
• 1585 Annexation of Kashmir.
• 1591 Conquest of Sindh.
• 1592 Conquest of Orissa.
• 1595 Conquest of Baluchistan.
Acquisition of Kandhar.
• 1593-1601 Conquest of Khandesh and Ahmednagar.
• 1602-1604 Faced rebellion of Prince Salim.
• 1605 Akbar died in Agra.
Totally dissatisfied with tradition and authority, Akbar made a new experiment at synthesizing a religion. He called it Din-e-Ilahi. He aimed to unite into an organic whole the motley elements of different religions. Din-e-Ilahi or Divine Faith was organized as a brotherhood of intellectuals containing the essence of all religious teachings. It was a mixture of mysticism, philosophy and nature worship.
Its main principle was Sulah-e-Kul or universal tolerance and peace. It believed in the unity of God. It had its ceremonies and code of conduct besides hierarchy. There was no compulsion to revere their own faith or to join this Faith. It was open to all without any force.
The order had a few thousand members but most prominent persons of his court did not acept the newly founded faith. No notable Hindu except Raja Birbal came forward to join it. The Din-I-Ilahi came to an end with the death of its founder, Akbar.
STRAINED RELATIONS WITH PRINCE SALIM
The later years of Akbar’s life were troubled by the unworthy conduct of his eldest son, Prince Salim. A child of many a prayers, he was a spoilt prince. Prince Salim was wearied of waiting for long awaited succession. The 31 years of aggrieved prince had started all sorts of evil precedents in Asiatic history. Raja Man Singh, Governor of Bengal and Bihar, and Akbar asked Salim to look into the state’s affair, but seeing the danger of his prospects he decided not to proceed further than Allahabad. He refused to follow the order and stayed at Allahabad. His grandmother wanted to console the aggrieved father and rebelling son and she started towards Allahabad to have a talk with her grandson and bring him to terms with Akbar. Salim, not wanting to face her, crossed Jamuna river and avoided the meet. The old lady left Allahabad in pains. When Salim returned to Allahabad he took few audacious steps, which declared an open revolt against Akbar. He seized many provinces and minted coins in his own name. He assumed the royal style and set up himself as an independent king. It was that insult, which moved Akbar to Action.
Akbar consulted Abu-l-fazal, who possessed more influence over Akbar than any other person. He wrote the full account of the prince to him. Abu-l-fazl saw the necessity for strong action and kept an eye on all the development at Akbar’s court. Abul-l-fazl a man of immense caliber could easily cage him. Prince was sure of his incapability to face him. He resolved to kill Abul-l-fazl on way to Allahabad rather facing him on table. The conspiracy against Abu-l-Fazl was in the air but he deliberately abstained any precaution against Salim, a kid whom he had seen grow before his eyes. He paid brutally for the trust he showed in Salim.
Early in morning of August 12, 1602 he was attacked by Bir Singh, the Bundela chieftain of Orchha, whom Salim had appointed for the purpose. The small retinue of Abi-l-fazl was surrounded by 500 mailed horsemen of Bir Singh. The grants overtook the small retinue and slashed Abu-l-fazl’s head. His head was sent to Allahabad, where Salim received it with unholy joy and treated it in morbid manner. The shameful crime made Akbar furious with rage and distracted with grief. Without Abu-l-fazal, Akbar was left alone to resolve the atrocious Salim.
During the course, Sultana Salima Begam, Bairam, Khan’s widow, who had great influence in the imperial household took the initiative to bring father and son together. Her efforts got success with Salim accepting to march towards Agra. She arranged an interview between son and the father and it appeared to be a great success. After the meet, Akbar took off his turban and placed it on the head of Salim, recognizing him as the heir to the throne.
Neither Akbar nor Salim were changed since towards the reconciliation. After reconciliation when Akbar asked Salim to fight Amar Singh of Mewar and fulfil his long awaited dream the Prince disliked warfare in the Rajputana hills. Instead made extravagant demands for more forces and supplies of treasures. There was also an added clause with this irrational demand. Prince Salim desired for another interview and permission to return to Allahabad. Akbar granted his desires to return to Allahabad, and father and son for the first time celebrated their reconciliation by brilliant festivals.
Meanwhile, Shah Begam, Salim’s beloved wife died and Akbar stood by his side during his grief. He sent Salim a warm sympathetic letter of condolence accompanied by gifts of a robe of honor and the turban from his own head, thus confirming his nomination as the heir. Now, Salim had established himself with the court at Allahabad and surrendered himself to his favorite vices, consuming opium and hard drinks beyond limit. The law and order had also crossed all barriers and any whim of the Prince happened to be the rule of the day. Prince Daniyal, Akbar’s third son, ruling down in Deccan had merged himself in vices. Akbar surrounded from all peripherals could not save his life. Prince Daniyal died in April 1604.
Death of Daniyal and accounts of Salim’s misconduct left Akbar to prepare Salim for his vast spread empire. Akbar had to take some bold step but his mother, an old lady of 77, loved Salim so dearly that any action on him would cause trouble to her health, which hampered Akbar in taking any decision. This time seeing Akbar so determined, disappointed her and brought serious illness, which rapidly became critical. She did not survive for long and died on or about August 29. This made Akbar proceed with his hostile expedition after the death of his mother. Akbar employed Sadr Jahan, his agent at the court of the prince. He used all his diplomatic skills and persuaded Salim to submit himself in the court of Akbar.
Salim Marched towards Agra escorted by his troops. He was received with every apparent cordiality and affection. Suddenly as he prostrated himself reverently, Akbar seized him by the hand and drew him into an inner apartment.
Then the emperor showered upon him reproaches for his conduct. Later on Salim was put under an able physician to cure his alcoholism. It seemed that he had been mastered as he humbly accepted the western provinces, which had been held by his deceased brother Daniyal. But he continued to live at Agra in apparent amity with his father until Akbar died in 1605.
PLACE IN HISTORY
Akbar’s idealism, natural gifts, force of character and concrete achievements give him a right to claim a high place among rulers of mankind. He was superior to his contemporaries in India. Even his contemporaries abroad, Elizabeth of England, Henry IV of France and Abbas the great, of Persia, did not measure up to him in person, acumen, power and extent of territory. V A Smith rightly calls him a "born king of man, with rightful rank as one greatest sovereigns known to history."
