Akbar was the third Mughal emperor, who conquered from 1556 to 1605. Akbar won and exceeded his father, Humayun, Bairam Khan, and others who helped the young emperor to expand and merge the Mughal Empire in India. Akbar was a strong personality and a successful general. Candidates can read other NCERT Notes on History of Medieval India to prepare for UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains exam.

• Akbar’s position was in critical condition when he won his father Humayun as Delhi was dominated by Afghans.
• In 1556, during the second battle of Panipat, Akabar won Hemu and the army of Hemu fled which created the victory of Mughal conclusive.
• During the first 5 years of Akbar’s reign, Bairam Khan acted as his official.
• Then Akbar removed Bairam Khan and sent him to Mecca but Bairam Khan was killed by an Afghan on his way to the journey to mecca.
• The military conquests of Akbar were boundless.

Mughal Administration under Akbar

Akbar was very famous for his best ruling techniques. He had a desire to gather knowledge from everyone he meets every day in his life. His humbleness and politeness was his strongest thing in dealing with his subjects.

His approach of the day to day deliverance was quite simple but very strategically framed. His most important skill in administering the country with such vast lands and religious faith was the formulation of The Centralized Federal Government is a form of governance where the task is to delegate offices to governors of different states.

Land Revenue Administration

• With the help of Raja Todar Mal, Akbar investigated the land revenue administration, which was fully completed in 1580.
• The land revenue system was called Zabti or Bandobast system or Dahsala System.
• The land revenue was fixed on the average yield of land measured on the basis of the preceding ten years.
• The land was divided into four categories:
  1. Polaj (cultivated every year)
  2. Parauti (once in two years)
  3. Chachar (once in three or four years)
  4. Banjar (once in five or more years)
• Payment of land revenue is generally paid in cash.

Mansabdari System

• Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system in his administration.
• Under the Mansabdari system, every officer was assigned a rank.
• The rank ranges between 10-5000, the lowest rank was 10 and the highest was 5000 for the nobles.
• Princes of royal blood received even higher ranks.
• The ranks were divided into two types: Zat and Sawar.
• Zat means personal and it fixes the personal status of a person.
• Sawar rank indicates the number of troops of a person who was required to maintain.
• Every sawar has to maintain at least two horses.
• All appointments, promotions and dismissals were directly made by the emperor.

Akbar’s Relations with Rajputs

• Akbar married Rajput Princess, the daughter of Raja Bharmal.
• For the four generations, the Rajputs served the Mughals and many Rajputs served in the positions of military officials as well.
• Akbar chose Raja Man Singh and Raja Bhagawan Das to the senior position of Mughal Administration.
• Even though the majority of the Rajput states surrendered to Akbar, the Ranas of Mewar continued to oppose even though they were defeated many times.
• In 1576, the Mughal Army defeated Rana Pratap Singh in the battle of Haldighati, after the defeat of Mewar, other top front Rajput leaders surrendered to Akbar and accepted their defeat.
• Akbar’s policy towards the Rajput was combined with huge religious liberality.
• Also, Akbar abolished the pilgrim tax and later the jizya.

Akbar’s Religious Policy

• Akbar’s religious policy is the main thing that made the way to his name in the book of history.
• In 1562, he abolished jizya.
• He freely allowed his Hindu wives to worship their own gods as they wish.
• In 1575, Akbar built a House of worship at his capital Fatepur Sikri and invited all scholars from all religions.
• He did not like the involvement of the Muslim Ulemas in political matters and issues.
• In 1579, he delivered the “Infallibility Decree” and revealed his religious powers.
• In 1582, he spread a new religion called Din Ilahi of Divine Faith.
• Akbar constructed a temple for Jodha in his own palace, even though there was a lot of opposition for it.

About Din Ilahi

• This new religion is to believe in one God.
• It had all the good points of every religion in the world.
• Its basement was perfect.
• It didn’t witness any philosophy.
• The aim is to bridge the gap between different religions that is separated.
• This new religion had only 15 followers including Birbal.
• Akbar did not force anyone to join his new religion.
• However, the new religion was recorded to be a failure after Akbar’s death.

Art and Culture

Even though he is a dedicated ruler, Akbar was also a great contributor to art and culture. He cherished the poems of poets and singers and artistic people.

• His forts and palaces in and around Delhi are great wonders of unmatched craftsmanship. Few amongst those masterpieces are Fatehpur Sikri, Allahabad Fort, and Agra Fort etc.
• He was also a great lover of music and poetry, his durbar was a unique combination of great artists, scholars, poets, and singers etc. who kept the palace aura happy.

Reasons for his Greatness

There were some other unique habits and reasons for Akbar why he is still remembered as great:

1. Under the Kingdom of Akbar the Jizya taxes were revoked.
2. He appointed learned and trained Hindu Pandits at important Government post jobs.
3. He talked to the general public and heard their sorrows at Diwan-e-Aam.
4. He interacted with Hindu, Muslim, and Christian scholars on important issues and matters in Diwan-e-Khaas.

End of Akbar’s Reign

• In 1605, at the age of 63, Akbar suffered from a very bad disease of dysentery which could not be cured and it took Akbar’s life.
• He was buried in a prestigious way in the grand fort of Agra.
• Akbar's reign significantly attracted the course of Indian history. During his rule, the Mughal Empire was well developed in size and wealth. He developed a strong military system and instituted effective political reforms.

To get more information and study materials on History for UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains exam, candidates can check NCERT Medieval History Notes right here.

FAQs

Q1: Who was Akbar and when did he rule?

Q2: What was the significance of the Second Battle of Panipat?

Q3: What were Akbar’s contributions to art and culture?

Q4: What administrative reforms did Akbar introduce?

Q5: How did Akbar promote religious tolerance?

MCQs

1. In which year did Akbar ascend the Mughal throne?

A) 1526

B) 1540

C) 1556

D) 1571

2. Which battle marked the beginning of Akbar’s reign?

A) First Battle of Panipat

B) Battle of Haldighati

C) Second Battle of Panipat

D) Battle of Chausa

3. Who was responsible for Akbar’s revenue reforms?

A) Birbal

B) Raja Todar Mal

C) Man Singh

D) Abdul Rahim

4. What was Akbar’s new religion called?

A) Din-i-Ilahi

B) Zoroastrianism

C) Sufism

D) Sikhism

5. Which Rajput king did Akbar defeat at the Battle of Haldighati?

A) Rana Pratap

B) Udai Singh

C) Man Singh

D) Jai Singh

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Analyze the administrative reforms introduced by Akbar to consolidate the Mughal Empire.

Answer: Akbar's administrative reforms played a crucial role in consolidating the Mughal Empire. His Mansabdari system integrated military and civil officers, ensuring loyalty. He introduced revenue reforms through the Dahsala system, improving agricultural productivity and state income. Akbar’s provincial administration divided the empire into Subahs, ensuring efficient governance. His policy of religious tolerance fostered alliances with Rajput rulers, solidifying political stability. These reforms not only strengthened the empire but also laid the foundation for Mughal prosperity for the next century.

Q2. Discuss Akbar’s role in promoting religious tolerance in medieval India.

Answer: Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance was unprecedented in medieval India. He abolished the jizya tax on non-Muslims and initiated marital alliances with Rajput princesses. The creation of the Ibadat Khana allowed interfaith dialogues, promoting understanding among different religions. Akbar’s introduction of Din-i-Ilahi was a significant step towards synthesizing diverse religious practices. His inclusive policies ensured political stability and helped integrate different communities into the Mughal administrative framework.

Q3. Evaluate Akbar’s contribution to art and culture in the Mughal period.

Answer: Akbar made significant contributions to art and culture during his reign. He encouraged Persian art, literature, and architecture, blending them with Indian styles. His court became a center of cultural exchange, attracting poets, scholars, and artists. The Fatehpur Sikri complex and Akbarnama reflect the artistic achievements of his era. Akbar's interest in diverse cultures fostered a unique Mughal style, leaving a lasting legacy in Indian art and culture.

Previous Year Questions on Mughal Emperor Akbar

1. UPSC CSE 2017

Question. Examine the significance of Akbar’s Mansabdari system in the Mughal administrative framework.

Answer: The Mansabdari system introduced by Akbar was a central administrative reform integrating military and civil functions. It classified officers into various ranks (mansabs), ensuring a balance of power and loyalty. Mansabdars were required to maintain a fixed number of troops, serving both as administrators and military commanders. This system ensured efficient governance, minimized rebellion risks, and fostered a merit-based administration. By tying the officer’s loyalty to the emperor, Akbar consolidated power, laying the foundation for a stable Mughal administration.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question. How did Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance influence the Mughal Empire’s stability?

Answer: Akbar’s religious tolerance played a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the Mughal Empire. By abolishing the jizya tax on non-Muslims and engaging in marital alliances with Rajputs, Akbar won the loyalty of various communities. His inclusive policies fostered political unity, minimizing conflicts based on religion. The establishment of the Ibadat Khana allowed discussions between scholars of different faiths, promoting harmony. Akbar’s approach set a precedent for future Mughal rulers, ensuring the empire’s political stability in a diverse society.