Domestic and Military Consolidation
- Restoration of Authority
- Akbar inherited a fragile empire at age 13 after Humayun’s death and consolidated power after defeating Hemu at the Second Battle of Panipat (1556).
- Expansion of Territory
- Conquered Rajputana, Gujarat, Bengal, and parts of Central India, integrating diverse regions under centralized control.
- Military Reforms
- Created a standing professional army using gunpowder artillery and a ranking system through the mansabdari system.
- Alliance with Rajputs
- Formed marital and political alliances with Rajput rulers, granting them high ranks in administration.
- Centralized Governance
- Divided the empire into provinces (subahs), each governed by imperial appointees (subahdars).
Definition
Mansabdari System
- Administrative and military ranking system defining officers’ pay and responsibilities.
Definition
Rajputs
- Hindu warrior clans who became key Mughal allies through diplomacy and intermarriage.
Case study
The Rajput Policy under Akbar
Integration through Diplomacy
- Akbar formed alliances with Rajput chiefs such as those of Amber (Jaipur) and Jodhpur through marriage and negotiation.
- Allowed Rajput rulers to retain autonomy in their regions in exchange for military loyalty.
- Promoted Hindu nobles like Raja Man Singh to high-ranking positions in the Mughal army.
- Abolished discriminatory taxes such as the jizya and pilgrimage tax, encouraging Hindu participation in governance.
- These alliances reduced resistance and ensured loyalty across northern India.
Outcomes
- Established political unity through cooperation instead of conquest.
- Reduced rebellions in Hindu-majority areas.
- Symbolized Akbar’s policy of sulh-i-kul (universal tolerance).
- Strengthened Mughal legitimacy as rulers of a diverse empire.
- Set a precedent for inclusive administration under later emperors.
Religious and Cultural Policies
- Religious Tolerance
- Akbar ended jizya on non-Muslims, supported interfaith dialogue, and discouraged forced conversions.
- Din-i-Ilahi
- Introduced a new ethical system blending elements of Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism.
- Cultural Synthesis
- Promoted Persian art, Indian architecture, and cross-cultural learning, creating a “Mughal style” in painting and literature.
- Intellectual Exchange
- Established the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) at Fatehpur Sikri, where scholars of all faiths debated theology.
- Language and Art
- Persian became the official language, while Urdu developed as a fusion of Persian and local Indian languages.
Definition
Sulh-i-kul
- Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance and universal peace.
Definition
Din-i-Ilahi
- A moral-philosophical code introduced by Akbar to promote harmony across religions.
Case study
Fatehpur Sikri — Akbar’s Cultural Capital
Foundation and Purpose
- Built between 1571 and 1585 near Agra as a new imperial capital.
- Combined Islamic, Persian, and Indian architectural styles.
- Served as a center for religious discussion and administrative planning.
- The design of the city symbolized Akbar’s vision of unity and diversity.
- Major monuments included the Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, and Panch Mahal.
Cultural Significance
- Represented the peak of Mughal artistic achievement.
- Embodied Akbar’s ideology of integration and openness.
- Became a model for later Mughal architecture under Shah Jahan.
- Reflected the empire’s wealth and stability.
- Abandoned later due to water shortages, but remains a symbol of Mughal grandeur.
Economic and Administrative Policies
- Land Revenue Reform
- Introduced the Zabt system, a standardized taxation system based on land productivity.
- Efficient Bureaucracy
- Appointed trusted nobles to collect taxes and maintain law and order.
- Trade and Commerce
- Encouraged internal trade and established secure trade routes across the empire.
- Agriculture and Stability
- Promoted crop diversification, irrigation projects, and protection for peasants.
- Wealth and Patronage
- Revenue supported the construction of cities, art, and public works, reflecting a prosperous economy.
Definition
Zabt System
- Land revenue system assessing tax based on average crop yields and prices.
Common Mistake
- Treating Akbar as only tolerant: His policies were strategic, balancing diplomacy with central control.
- Confusing Din-i-Ilahi as a religion: It was a moral code, not an organized faith.
- Ignoring Administration: Akbar’s success rested as much on economic and bureaucratic reforms as on tolerance.
Exam technique
- Organize by Policy Type: Use clear subheadings i.e. domestic, military, religious, economic, cultural.
- Link Causes and Effects: Show how tolerance + reform = stability.
- Use Evidence: Mention specific examples like Fatehpur Sikri, Rajput alliances, and Zabt system.
Theory of Knowledge
- Can cultural diversity strengthen a state rather than divide it?
- Akbar’s inclusive approach to governance shows that tolerance and diversity can form the foundation of political unity.
Self review
- Examine the domestic and military policies that enabled Akbar to consolidate Mughal rule in India.
- To what extent were Akbar’s religious and cultural reforms key to the stability of the Mughal Empire?
- Assess the economic and administrative foundations of Mughal power under Akbar.
