Akbar

Akbar the Great (full name Abu'l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar; 1542–1605) was the third Mughal emperor, who ruled the Mughal Empire from 1556 to 1605. He ascended to the throne after the death of his father Humayun and rapidly consolidated authority, expanding Mughal rule across much of northern and central India.

Akbar implemented a centralized administrative structure and a professional military, introducing the mansabdari system to manage the rank and assignment of soldiers. He reformed land revenue administration through Todar Mal’s bandobasti. He pursued a policy of religious tolerance, advocating Sulh-i-kul (universal peace), supporting scholars of various faiths, and convening the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) at Fatehpur Sikri. He also initiated the Din-i-Ilahi, a personal attempt at synthesizing beliefs, though it did not gain wide followers.

Under his reign, the empire expanded through conquest and diplomacy, consolidating control over Gujarat, Kashmir, Rajasthan, Bengal, and parts of the Deccan fringe, while fostering alliances with Rajput rulers, including marriage alliances that helped stabilize his realm.

Akbar was a prolific patron of culture and learning. His reign produced major historical chronicles such as the Akbarnama and the Ain-i-Akbari, written under the supervision of his court historian Abu'l-Fazl. Architecturally, he founded Fatehpur Sikri, commissioned monumental works at Agra Fort, and built the tomb at Sikandra near Agra.

Akbar died in 1605 and was succeeded by his son Jahangir. His reign is often regarded as a high point of Mughal political authority, cultural efflorescence, and early religious pluralism.