Birth and Family Background
Akbar, born as Abu’l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar on October 15, 1542, in the Rajput fortress of Umarkot (present-day Sindh, Pakistan), belonged to the Timurid Dynasty. His father, Humayun, was the second Mughal Emperor, and his mother, Hamida Banu Begum, was a Persian noblewoman. Akbar was the grandson of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India.
Akbar was born during a time of crisis for the Mughal Empire. His father, Humayun, had been driven out of India by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri and was in exile when Akbar was born. As a result, Akbar’s early years were marked by political instability and uncertainty, which influenced the shaping of his character and future leadership.
Exile and Turbulence (1540–1555)
Akbar spent much of his early childhood in political exile due to Humayun’s expulsion from India by Sher Shah Suri. When Akbar was still an infant, Humayun lost his empire and had to seek refuge in Persia (modern-day Iran). Akbar was left in the care of his paternal uncles, particularly Askari Mirza, who took him to Kandahar in Afghanistan.
- Influence of Askari Mirza: Akbar was raised under the guidance of Askari, who treated him with great affection. Although Askari was more interested in his own ambitions and political control, his influence over Akbar was significant in Akbar’s formative years. His wife, Foster-Mother Maham Anga, played an even greater role in caring for Akbar.
During this period, Akbar had limited formal education. Unlike many rulers of the time, he never learned to read or write, but he had a remarkable memory and sharp intellect, which enabled him to absorb vast amounts of knowledge through oral communication.
Humayun’s Restoration and Akbar’s Ascendancy
After a 15-year period of exile, Humayun managed to regain control of Delhi in 1555 with the help of the Persian ruler Shah Tahmasp. Akbar, who was now about 13 years old, accompanied his father as they returned to India.
- **Important Personality – Bairam Khan: One of the most significant figures in Akbar’s early life was Bairam Khan, a loyal and powerful military general who had served under Humayun. Bairam Khan took Akbar under his wing and acted as his mentor and protector. He played a pivotal role in securing Humayun’s throne and later in guiding young Akbar through his formative years as a ruler.
Shortly after returning to India, tragedy struck when Humayun died in 1556 after a fall from his library’s staircase in Delhi. Akbar, just 13 years old, was proclaimed the new Emperor of the Mughal Empire.
Akbar’s Accession and Early Challenges
When Akbar ascended the throne, the Mughal Empire was still fragile. It had not yet fully recovered from Humayun’s long exile, and the threat from Afghan rulers and rebellious Rajput chiefs was still strong.
- Battle of Panipat (1556): One of the most significant events in Akbar’s early reign was the Second Battle of Panipat. At the time of Humayun’s death, Hemu, the chief minister of the Afghan ruler Adil Shah Suri, had declared himself the ruler of Delhi. Hemu’s forces posed a significant threat to the young emperor’s reign.
Under the guidance of Bairam Khan, Akbar’s army engaged Hemu in battle at Panipat in November 1556. Despite being a child, Akbar was officially the commander of the Mughal army, though the real control lay with Bairam Khan. Hemu was defeated, and this victory secured the Mughal Empire’s hold over northern India and consolidated Akbar’s rule. This was a crucial moment in Akbar’s life as it stabilized the empire and paved the way for Akbar’s future expansionist policies.
- Role of Bairam Khan: Bairam Khan served as the regent for Akbar until 1560 and effectively governed the empire on Akbar’s behalf. He managed the empire’s military and administrative affairs, allowing Akbar time to grow and learn the skills needed for leadership. Bairam Khan’s decisive military strategies and diplomacy helped Akbar expand and consolidate his rule during the initial years of his reign.
Akbar’s Early Administration
During his early years on the throne, Akbar showed early signs of his leadership and vision for governance. He had a deep interest in learning from scholars, religious leaders, and statesmen, which influenced his later policies of tolerance, military expansion, and administrative reform.
- Foster-Mother Maham Anga: After Bairam Khan’s regency ended in 1560, Maham Anga, Akbar’s foster mother, gained considerable influence. Her political maneuvering and dominance over the court were a temporary phase during Akbar’s early reign. However, as Akbar matured, he increasingly asserted his independence and distanced himself from both Bairam Khan and Maham Anga.
Bairam Khan’s Fall and Akbar’s Consolidation of Power (1560)
As Akbar grew older, tensions between him and Bairam Khan started to develop. By 1560, Akbar sought to assert his independence and gradually began to remove Bairam Khan’s influence from court. Akbar eventually dismissed him and offered him an honorable retirement. However, during Bairam Khan’s pilgrimage to Mecca, he was assassinated by one of his political rivals. This marked a turning point in Akbar’s life, as he became the sole authority in the Mughal Empire, without the shadow of a regent.
After Bairam Khan’s departure, Akbar took full control of the empire and began the process of restructuring the administration, expanding the empire, and implementing his vision of a multi-ethnic and multi-religious state.
Akbar’s Early Characteristics
Even as a young ruler, Akbar displayed traits that would later define his reign:
- Tolerance and Inclusion: Akbar grew up exposed to a variety of cultures, including Persian, Afghan, and Indian traditions. This made him open-minded and curious about different religions and cultures, which would later lead to his policy of religious tolerance.
- Military Prowess: Under the mentorship of Bairam Khan, Akbar honed his military leadership, leading him to become one of India’s most successful and formidable military commanders.
- Diplomatic Skill: Akbar’s ability to negotiate with rival factions, including the Rajputs, and create alliances was apparent even during his early years.
Conclusion
Akbar’s early life, shaped by political instability, exile, and a series of powerful mentors, played a critical role in molding him into the great ruler he became. His childhood experiences, including being raised in adversity and witnessing both the fall and restoration of the Mughal Empire, gave him a unique understanding of power, politics, and governance. Akbar’s ascent to the throne at a young age, followed by his early military victories, established the foundation for his future reign, which would go on to be one of the most prosperous and tolerant periods in Indian history.
