{"id":9320,"date":"2026-03-04T08:09:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T02:39:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=9320"},"modified":"2026-03-10T13:28:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T07:58:16","slug":"akbar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/akbar\/","title":{"rendered":"Mughal Emperor Akbar, History, Administration, Architecture"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar (1556\u20131605) was the third ruler of the Mughal Dynasty.\u00a0 Akbar succeeded his father Humayun at the age of 13 and helped to expand the Mughal Empire. Akbar\u2019s military, political, cultural, and economic dominance helped him gain dominance in the Indian subcontinent. Akbar established a centralized administration, conciliated conquered rulers and gained non-Muslim support through his Religious and Rajput policies.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar\u2019s rule led to a stable economy and helped in the development of art and architecture, including notable literary works like Akbarnama. Akbar's patronage of painters and religious tolerance aided the Mughal Empire's growth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">About Akbar<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar's real name was <\/span><b>Abu\u2019l-Fath Jala-ud-din Muhammad. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar was the third ruler of the Mughal Dynasty.\u00a0 He was born on October 15, 1542, in Umarkot, now in Sindh province, Pakistan. Akbar was the grandson of <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/babur\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Babur<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and the son of <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/humayun\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Humayun<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and Hamida Banu Begum. Akbar succeeded his father, Humayun, in 1556.\u00a0 Bairam Khan enthroned 13-year-old Akbar and proclaimed him Shehanshah.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9390\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/03\/unnamed-2.png\" alt=\"Akbar\" width=\"330\" height=\"446\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar Military Conquests<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar\u2019s military campaigns were the foundation of his attempt to consolidate the Mughal Empire. His conquests extended throughout several parts of India, considerably expanding the empire\u2019s territory.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Northern India:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar defeated Hemu in the <\/span><b>Second Battle of Panipat<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in 1556 to secure his throne and consolidate power in Delhi and Agra.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jaunpur, ruled by Afghans, was annexed to the Mughal Empire during the first expedition (1559-60) led by Khan Zaman to Gwalior and Jaunpur.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Central India:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Ram Shah Tomar surrendered Gwalior Fort when Akbar sent his first expedition (1559-60).<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar conquered Malwa in 1561, defeating Baz Bahadur in the Battle of Sarangpur.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Garh Katanga or Gondwana, ruled by Rani Durgawati, was conquered in 1564.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar also suppressed Uzbeg-led revolts led by Khan Uzbeg and also ended conflicts with nobility, which started after the dismissal of Bairam Khan.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Western India: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The campaigns in Western India were primarily intended to subjugate the Rajputs and secure lucrative trade routes in Gujarat.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Conquest of Rajputana:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar's military campaigns in Rajputana resulted in the siege of Chittorgarh in 1567.\u00a0 In 1568, Akbar captured the Fort of Ranthambore.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Except for Chittor's King Maharana Pratap, the majority of Rajput kingdoms joined Mughal nobility and supported Akbar's expansion.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Conquest of Gujarat:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar annexed Gujarat in 1573, which was important for maritime trade.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Eastern India:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar annexed Bengal in 1576 after defeating Daud Khan Karrani and bringing it under Mughal control.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar suppressed the widespread revolts in Bengal and Bihar, which were sparked by Afghans and due to his strict jagir reforms.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>North-West India:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar aimed to settle rebellions and conquer new territories in the North-West regions.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Suppression of Roshanais:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar defeated the Roshanais in 1585, who rebelled and blocked the Kabul-Hindustan route, securing the North West frontier.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Conquest of Kashmir:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In 1586, Akbar defeated the King of Kashmir Yusuf Khan, and annexed the region.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Deccan and Southern India:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar initiated a Deccan policy in 1590 to subjugate Ahmednagar, Bijapur, and Golconda.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mughal forces besieged Ahmednagar in 1595, finally leading to a treaty in which Chand Bibi ceded Berar.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar captured Ahmednagar, Burhanpur, Asirgarh, and Berar by 1600.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9382\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/03\/Mughal-Empire-under-Akbar.webp\" alt=\"Mughal Empire under Akbar\" width=\"402\" height=\"377\" \/><\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar Military Innovations<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar strengthened the Mughal army by introducing various military innovations. These included the implementation of a centralized command system, new weaponry, and tactics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Professionalization:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar focused on the formation of a professional army comprising various ethnic groups, including Mughals, Afghans, Rajputs, and Iranians.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Use of Matchlock:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Introduction of the matchlock musket (bandook) and improvements were made to it by Akbar.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Cannons:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar encouraged the use of cannons in warfare<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mansabdari system:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It was implemented to maintain a large and well-equipped army.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mansabdari System<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar implemented the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/mansabdari-system\/\" target=\"_blank\">Mansabdari system<\/a><\/strong>, which classified nobles and military officers based on ranks (mansabs) and responsibilities. Each Mansab was required to maintain a specific number of cavalrymen. It helped to maintain a disciplined and well-organized army. Akbar created the Mansabdari System with 66 grades, from a commander of ten (dehbhasi) to the commander of ten thousand (dahhazari).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar Administration\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar\u2019s administrative reforms were crucial in constructing a consolidated and efficient governance structure. His policies provided the groundwork for the Mughal Empire's long-term stability and success.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Political Structure of Akbar\u2019s Administration<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar centralized power by dividing the empire into Subahs or provinces. Each subah was governed by a Subedar responsible for maintaining law and order, revenue collection, and military defense.\u00a0 The political structure can be divided into various levels, such as central, provincial, District\/Sarkar, Pargana, Village, etc. The structure is discussed in detail below:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Central Administration:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The centre of the whole structure was sovereign.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Important functionaries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> included Wazir, Diwan (Income and expenditure controller), Mir Bakshi (Head of Military), Mir Saman (In charge of imperial household), Sadr-us-sadr (In charge of charitable &amp; religious endowment), Qazi-ul-Qujat (Head of Judiciary), and\u00a0 Waqia Navis (News Reporters\/writers).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Provincial Administration:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar made a division and systematic organization of the empire into different provinces or subas. Their number was fifteen at the time of death of Akbar.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Important Functionaries included Sipahsalar (head executive), Diwan (In charge of revenue department), Bakshi (In charge of military department), Sadr (In charge of judicial department).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Local Administration:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/mughal-empire\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mughal Empire<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> was divided into Subah or Province, which was further subdivided into Sarkars, Parganas, and villages.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Sarkar <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">had functionaries like Fauzdar (administrative head), Amalguzar (Revenue Collection), Kotwal (Law &amp; Order)<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Pargana <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">had functionaries like Shiqdar(Administratrive head), Amin &amp; Qanungo (Revenue officials)<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Village <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">had functionaries like Muqaddam (Headman), Patwari (Accountant), Chowkidar (Watchman)<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar\u2019s Revenue and Land Administration Policy<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar\u2019s finance minister, Todarmal, introduced two new systems of land revenue collection, namely the Zabti system and the Dahshala System.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Zabti System:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The zabti system, implemented during Akbar's reign, required land measurement and fixed cash revenue rates (dastur) for each crop, and all collection was conducted in cash.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Dahshala System:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It was a revenue collection system that changed the land measurement method from ropes to bamboo pieces connected by iron rings, called the Bamboo Jarid System. The government collected revenue based on the ten-year crop average. This system divided land into four categories:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Polaj:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Land which was cultivated annually.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Parauti:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Land which was left fallow for a short period of 1 or 2 years.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Chachar:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Land which was left fallow for 3 to 4 years.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Banjar:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Uncultivated for 5 years or more.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jagirdari System<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During Akbar\u2019s period, the territory was broadly divided into two categories: Khalisa and Jagir. The revenue from the Khalisa went to the Imperial treasury, while that from the Jagir was assigned to the Jagirdars instead of their salaries, based on their ranking.\u00a0 Jagirdars were in charge of collecting revenue, maintaining order, and managing the land.\u00a0 This structure enabled flexible land redistribution to maximize productivity and ensure efficient administration across the empire.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar Judicial Reform<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar abolished laws that discriminated against non-Muslims and created a single legal system that incorporated laws from both Islam and Hinduism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Equality in Court:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar elevated the Hindu court system to an official status alongside Muslim law.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Promoted Common Laws:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar reformed laws to ensure fair treatment for citizens of all religions and maximize the use of common laws for Muslim and Hindu citizens.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Issue of Mahzar:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In 1579, he issued a decree designating himself as the supreme authority on religious questions, encouraging dialogue between academics of all religions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar Rajput Policy<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar approached the Rajputs through diplomacy and alliance formation, such as marrying Rajput princess Harkha Bai. In return for their loyalty, he gave them prominent posts in his court and allowed them to keep their independence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Matrimonial Alliance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar forged matrimonial and diplomatic ties to form alliances with Rajput states.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>High Posts:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Rajput chiefs were given high ranks in the Mansabdari system.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Non-interference:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar gave Rajputs sovereignty over their internal affairs and allowed them to keep their territories.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar Religious Policies\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar is known for his policy of religious tolerance and his endeavors to promote harmony among different communities. He made religion and state separate entities, allowing people of all faiths to hold government positions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Religious Tolerance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar abolished <\/span><b>Jizya<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (poll tax) on non-Muslims in 1564. He also abolished the forced conversion of prisoners of war to Islam.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Sulh-i-Kul:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar promoted Sulh-i-Kul (political and spiritual unification of the country), a policy of universal tolerance.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ibadat Khana:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar established Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) in Fatehpur Sikri, where he held discussions with academics from different religions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Din-i-Ilahi: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar introduced<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Din-i-Ilahi (Divine faith), a new religion that blended aspects of Islam, Hinduism, and others in 1582.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar Art and Literature<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar\u2019s long, peaceful, and prosperous reign led to unprecedented growth in art and literature, reflecting his magnanimity and liberalism. During Akbar's reign, <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/the-mughal-art-and-architecture\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mughal Art<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and culture flourished, blending indigenous and foreign influences, resulting in a distinct Indo-Islamic style.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Literature:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar\u2019s court was renowned for its opulence and broad support of its scholars, musicians, and artists. Some of the intellectual contributions are:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ain-i-Akbari by Abu\u2019l Fazl<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbarnama by Faizi<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Library:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar created a Kitab Khana for storing his manuscripts.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Translations:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar established Maktab Khana (House of Translations) in Fatehpur Sikri in 1574, and he also commissioned the translation of important books such as:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The translation of the Mahabharata into Persian, known as the <\/span><b>Razmnama<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Book of War), began in 1582-84. This was completed in 1589 under the supervision of master artist Daswant.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Yogavasistha<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, also known as Maha-Ramayana, is a significant Hindu philosophical text translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati, Akbar's Mir Bakshi.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sanskrit mathematical text \"<\/span><b>Lilavati<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\" by Bhaskaracharya was translated into Persian by Akbar's poet laureate, Faizi.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Calligraphy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Muhammad Husayn al-Katib Kashmiri, a renowned calligrapher at Emperor Akbar's court, was awarded the title \"Zarrin Qalam\" (Golden Pen) for his exceptional skills.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Patronage of Art:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> According to Abul Fazal, Akbar's court historian, the royal atelier employed over a hundred artists. Akbar personally interacted with the artists, supervising and evaluating their work.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Daswant and Basawan were famous painters in Akbar's court.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Paintings:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> During Akbar's reign, Mughal painting emerged as a distinct style, blending Persian and Indian traditions, with key projects like the \"Hamzanama\" showcasing the development of this unique art form.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Coins:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Akbar issued coins in gold, silver, and copper; these were called Muhar, rupiya, dam or falus or tanka, respectively. The gold and silver coins were issued in the weight standard of about 11-11.5 gm with their denominations. Dams or falus weighed approximately 20 gm.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar Navratna<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar\u2019s <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/navratna-of-akbar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Navratnas<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> were nine distinguished courtiers who had a profound impact on his administration, culture, and diplomacy. They included the following:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<table style=\"width: 68.181%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 20.296%\">\r\n<p><b>Navratna<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 47.0402%\">\r\n<p><b>Description<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.296%\">\r\n<p><b>Abul Fazl<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 47.0402%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar\u2019s chief advisor and the author of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbarnama<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.296%\">\r\n<p><b>Faizi\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 47.0402%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A Persian poet who composed over a hundred poetic works in Persian.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.296%\">\r\n<p><b>Tansen\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 47.0402%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">- A renowned musician, vocalist, composer, and instrumentalist of Hindustani Classical Music.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He composed Dhrupads for Hindu gods and goddesses, composed songs for his patrons, and invented many ragas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.296%\">\r\n<p><b>Birbal<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 47.0402%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He was a poet, singer, and wise advisor known for being extremely clever and witty.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.296%\">\r\n<p><b>Raja Todar Mal\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 47.0402%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He was the Finance minister\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.296%\">\r\n<p><b>Raja Man Singh<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 47.0402%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He was a mansabdar who led key military campaigns for Emperor Akbar.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.296%\">\r\n<p><b>Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 47.0402%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He wrote various <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">dohas <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and translated Babar\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Babarnama <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">into Persian.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.296%\">\r\n<p><b>Mulla Do-Pyaza<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 47.0402%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Minister of Home Affairs and was in charge of the country\u2019s internal security.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 20.296%\">\r\n<p><b>Fakir Aziao-Din\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 47.0402%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chief advisor in Emperor Akbar\u2019s Court and used to advise on religious matters.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar Architecture<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar\u2019s architecture demonstrated his liberal and tolerant views. It was a masterful fusion of Islamic and Indo-Pacific styles. His buildings mainly used red sandstone as a building material. Some of his architectural contributions are :<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Agra Fort: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar built a historical fort in Agra known as Agra Fort or Qila-i-Akbari.\u00a0 It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9386\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/03\/Agra-Fort.webp\" alt=\"Agra Fort\" width=\"392\" height=\"392\" \/><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Fatehpur Sikri<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri as the Mughal Empire's capital, also known as the City of Victory, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It Includes:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Buland Darwaza:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It is constructed of red and yellow sandstone with a white marble inlay outline. It was built to commemorate Akbar\u2019s conquest of Gujarat.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Jama Masjid:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It features a central courtyard, arcades on three sides, a domed prayer hall, and a big gateway at the east side entrance.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Tomb of Salim Chisti:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It was built in 1581 and showcases exquisite marble work and intricate carvings.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Jodha Bai\u2019s Palace:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It is the largest building in the complex. It features plain exterior walls, an arcaded passage, and roofs covered with bright blue glazed tiles from Multan.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Diwani-Khas:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The most distinctive administrative building. It features a rectangular plan, a central column with connecting railed bridges, and a flat roof.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Panch Mahal:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It is a five-story building with unique columns, a domed kiosk, and diminishing levels as one goes upwards.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9383\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/03\/Fatehpur-Sikri.webp\" alt=\"Fatehpur Sikri\" width=\"355\" height=\"236\" \/><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Temple of Govind Dev:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It was built in Vrindavan by Raja Man Singh, a leading nobleman at Akbar's court, with the support of the Mughal emperor<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Nilkanth Temple:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Nilkanth Temple, also known as Imarat-i-Dilkhusha (meaning \"heart-pleasing abode\"), is a Mughal-style temple built in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. It was built by the governor Shah Badgah on the orders of Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1574 for his Hindu wife, Empress Mariam-uz-Zamani (also known as Jodha Bai).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar Death<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar died on 25 October 1605, due to dysentery in Agra. He had brought two-thirds of the Indian sub-continent into an empire, including Afghanistan, Kashmir, and present-day India and Pakistan. Akbar was acclaimed 'Lord of the Universe' by his subjects. His tomb is located in Sikandra, northwest of Agra. He was succeeded by his son, <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/jahangir\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jahangir<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Akbar UPSC PYQs<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Q.1 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\"Yogavasistha\" was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of : <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2022)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) Akbar\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(b) Humayun\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) Shahjahan\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(d) Aurangzeb<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Ans. (a)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q.2<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?\u00a0<\/span><b>(UPSC 2019)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tansen composed Dhrupads on Hindu gods and goddesses.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tansen composed songs on his patrons.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tansen invented many ragas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><b>Ans. (a)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q.3<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 Consider the following statements: <\/span><b>(UPSC 2019)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) 1 only \u00a0 (b) 2 only\u00a0 (c) Both 1 and 2\u00a0 (d) Neither 1 nor 2<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Ans. (d)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q.4<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">White Marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Red Sandstone and marble were used in making Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which of the following statements given above is\/are correct? <\/span><b>(UPSC 2018)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1 only<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2 only<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Both 1 and 2<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Neither 1 nor 2<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><b>Ans. (d)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Q.5<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2014)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) The mosque for the use of Royal Family\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(b) Akbar\u2019s private prayer chamber\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) The hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(d) The room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">religious affairs.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Ans. (c)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Other Related Posts<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/iqta-system\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Iqta System<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/akbar\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mughal Emperor Akbar<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/iltutmish\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Iltutmish<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/battle-of-haldighati\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Battle of Haldighati<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/ghiyas-ud-din-balban\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ghiyas Ud Din Balban<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/third-battle-of-panipat\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Third Battle of Panipat<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/khilji-dynasty\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Khilji Dynasty<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/jagirdari-system\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Jagirdari System<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/second-battle-of-panipat\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Second Battle of Panipat<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/rajput-policy-of-akbar\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rajput Policy of Akbar<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/sayyid-dynasty\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Sayyid Dynasty<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/religious-policy-of-akbar\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Religious Policy of Akbar<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/first-battle-of-panipat\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>First Battle of Panipat<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/navratna-of-akbar\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Navratna of Akbar<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/humayun\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Humayun<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/jahangir\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Jahangir<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/sher-shah-suri\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Sher Shah Suri<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/dara-shikoh\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Dara Shikoh<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Akbar (1556\u20131605), the third Mughal emperor, was a military, political, cultural, and economic leader who expanded the Mughal Empire. His rule was marked by military conquests across India, the implementation of the Mansabdari system, administrative reforms, and religious tolerance. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":9388,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[40,596],"class_list":{"0":"post-9320","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-medieval-history-notes","8":"tag-quest","9":"tag-upsc-medieval-history"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9320","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9320"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9320\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23122,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9320\/revisions\/23122"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}