Mughal Rulers and Inheritance Division

The question asks which Mughal ruler divided his inheritance according to the will of his father. This refers to the practice of dividing the kingdom or empire among the sons, a tradition common before the strict primogeniture rules were fully established. Let's look at the options provided:

• Akbar: Akbar inherited a consolidated empire and followed a policy of strong centralized rule. He did not divide his empire among his sons during his lifetime or through a will for post-mortem division.
• Humayun: Humayun was the son of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire. Babur reportedly advised Humayun to be kind to his brothers and divide the kingdom with them. Humayun, upon inheriting the vast but newly established empire, did indeed divide it among his brothers Kamran, Hindal, and Askari, though this division later caused him significant problems. This act aligns with following his father's instructions regarding inheritance.
• Babur: Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire. While he conquered vast territories, the question is about inheriting and dividing according to a father's will. Babur received parts of his father's kingdom (Fergana) but also had to fight to establish his domain. The context of the question points towards the division of the Mughal Empire *after* its establishment.
• Shah Jahan: Shah Jahan was a later Mughal emperor. While there was a war of succession among his sons (Aurangzeb, Dara Shikoh, Shuja, Murad) towards the end of his reign, he did not divide the empire among them according to a pre-defined will. Aurangzeb ultimately seized power and imprisoned Shah Jahan.

Based on historical accounts, it was Humayun who, following the instructions or will of his father Babur, divided the inherited Mughal territory among his brothers. This act significantly weakened the empire in its early stages but was done in adherence to his father's wishes.

Therefore, Humayun is the Mughal ruler who divided his inheritance according to the will of his father.

Revision Table: Mughal Inheritance

Additional Information on Mughal Inheritance

Unlike some other dynasties that strictly followed primogeniture (inheritance by the eldest son), the Timurid tradition, which the Mughals inherited, often involved dividing the kingdom among all sons. Babur followed this tradition to some extent in his early life and instructed Humayun to do the same. While intended to foster family harmony, in the context of a vast empire, this practice often led to conflicts and civil wars among the brothers, as seen during Humayun's reign and later during Shah Jahan's succession.

Akbar, recognizing the problems caused by such divisions, moved towards a more centralized system where the emperor held ultimate authority and succession was often decided through power struggles rather than formal division by will. Later Mughal rulers largely followed this pattern, although succession wars remained a recurring feature.