Akbar, after consolidating power in Delhi and the surrounding regions, embarked on a series of military campaigns to expand the Mughal Empire across northern, western, and eastern India. His expansionist policies were crucial in establishing the Mughal Empire as the dominant force in the Indian subcontinent.
1. Conquest of Malwa (1561)
Background:
The region of Malwa, located in central India, was an independent Sultanate under Baz Bahadur, the ruler of Malwa. Baz Bahadur was known for his artistic inclinations and his patronage of music and culture, but he lacked the military strength to resist the Mughals.
Events:
- In 1561, Akbar sent an army under his trusted general Adham Khan, who was also his foster brother and the son of Maham Anga (Akbar’s foster mother), to capture Malwa.
- Baz Bahadur was defeated in battle and fled, leaving Malwa in the hands of the Mughals. However, Adham Khan’s cruel treatment of the people of Malwa and his looting of the region angered Akbar, who was displeased by Adham Khan’s actions.
- Akbar personally intervened and recalled Adham Khan to Delhi. This led to a confrontation between Adham Khan and Akbar, which culminated in Adham Khan being thrown from the ramparts of the Agra Fort by Akbar himself, marking the end of Maham Anga’s influence in the court.
Aftermath:
Akbar appointed Pir Muhammad as the new governor of Malwa, bringing the region under direct Mughal control. The conquest of Malwa was significant as it secured central India and expanded Mughal territory further south.
2. Subjugation of Rajasthan (1562–1576)
Background:
Rajasthan was a fragmented region with powerful Rajput kingdoms like Mewar, Marwar (Jodhpur), Amber (Jaipur), Bikaner, and others. The Rajputs were known for their fierce warrior ethos and resistance to foreign rule. Akbar sought to bring these powerful Rajput rulers under Mughal control through a mix of military campaigns and diplomacy.
Key Events:
a) Alliances and Diplomatic Marriages:
- Akbar adopted a diplomatic strategy by forming alliances with several Rajput rulers. In 1562, Akbar married Harka Bai (also known as Jodha Bai), the daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amber (Jaipur). This marriage was pivotal in securing the loyalty of Amber to the Mughal Empire.
- Other Rajput rulers, such as Raja Rai Singh of Bikaner and Raja Kalyanmal of Bikaner, also entered into alliances with Akbar. These alliances brought much of Rajasthan under Mughal control without major bloodshed, and the Rajputs were integrated into the Mughal administration.
b) Siege of Chittorgarh (1567–1568):
- The most formidable Rajput kingdom was Mewar, ruled by Rana Udai Singh II, whose capital was Chittorgarh. Mewar was fiercely independent, and its rulers resisted Mughal authority.
- In 1567, Akbar launched a siege of Chittorgarh, one of the most famous and formidable forts in India. The siege lasted for several months, and Akbar personally directed the assault. After intense fighting, the fort fell in 1568, and Rana Udai Singh fled to the hills, leaving the defense of the fort to his generals, Jaimal and Patta.
- After the fall of Chittorgarh, Akbar ordered a mass slaughter of the defenders, marking a significant but brutal victory. The fort of Chittorgarh became a symbol of Mughal dominance over the Rajput kingdoms.
c) Battle of Haldighati (1576):
- The final major resistance in Rajasthan came from Maharana Pratap, the son of Rana Udai Singh, who refused to submit to Mughal authority.
- In 1576, Akbar sent an army led by Man Singh I of Amber, one of Akbar’s Rajput generals, to confront Maharana Pratap. The two armies clashed at the Battle of Haldighati, a fiercely contested battle.
- Although Maharana Pratap was defeated in the battle, he managed to escape, continuing his resistance in the hills of Mewar. However, his kingdom’s influence was significantly reduced, and Akbar effectively gained control over much of Rajasthan.
Aftermath:
By combining diplomacy and military might, Akbar successfully brought most of Rajasthan under Mughal control. The Rajput alliance was instrumental in stabilizing his empire, as many Rajput chiefs entered Akbar’s service, contributing to the Mughal military and administration.
3. Conquest of Gujarat (1572–1573)
Background:
The prosperous and strategically important region of Gujarat had been an independent sultanate. After the death of its last effective ruler, the region descended into chaos and infighting. Akbar saw this as an opportunity to expand the Mughal Empire into western India.
Events:
- In 1572, Akbar marched into Gujarat with a large army, taking advantage of the political instability in the region. The various claimants to the throne of Gujarat, including Muzaffar Shah III, were too weak to resist Akbar’s forces.
- Akbar captured the important port city of Surat, securing Mughal control over Gujarat’s vast trade networks with the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
- In 1573, Akbar faced a rebellion led by Muzaffar Shah III, but he personally led a lightning campaign to recapture Ahmedabad and crushed the rebellion.
Aftermath:
The conquest of Gujarat was significant for the Mughal Empire’s economic prosperity, as it provided access to rich trade routes and ports. Akbar’s direct control over Gujarat marked a new phase in the empire’s westward expansion.
4. Eastern India: Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa (1574–1576)
Background:
The region of Bengal in eastern India had a long history of semi-independence from the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. It was a rich and fertile region but prone to political instability and rebellion. Sulaiman Khan Karrani, an Afghan chieftain, had established himself as the ruler of Bengal and Bihar.
Events:
- In 1574, Akbar launched a campaign to subjugate the eastern regions of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. The Mughal army was led by Khan-i-Zaman and Munim Khan.
- After the death of Sulaiman Khan Karrani, his son Daud Khan continued the resistance. However, in 1576, the Mughal army decisively defeated Daud Khan in the Battle of Tukaroi, bringing the rich province of Bengal under Mughal control.
- Daud Khan was captured and executed, and the Karrani dynasty came to an end.
Aftermath:
The conquest of Bengal significantly expanded the Mughal Empire’s control in eastern India. It also allowed Akbar to consolidate his empire by connecting the eastern provinces with the heart of the Mughal Empire in northern India. Bengal became an important center for the empire’s agricultural wealth and trade.
Conclusion
Akbar’s early military campaigns in Malwa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Eastern India were critical in expanding the Mughal Empire across vast and diverse territories. His conquests were marked by both military brilliance and diplomatic acumen. In Rajasthan, Akbar’s alliances with the Rajputs, particularly through marriage and diplomacy, ensured long-term stability, while in Gujarat and Bengal, his swift military campaigns secured important economic regions.
These early expansions laid the foundation for Akbar’s future reign as one of the most powerful and successful rulers of India, establishing the Mughal Empire as the preeminent power in the subcontinent. His policies of integrating diverse regions and cultures into the Mughal administrative framework would also prove to be key to the empire’s longevity.
