Akbar The Great PDF - History & Civics

History & Civics Chapter 10 - Akbar the Great Reference Notes INTRODUCTION TO AKBAR’s REIGN Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar (1542–1605 CE), also known as Akbar the Great, ruled the Mughal Empire from 1556 CE to 1605 CE. Akbar consolidated the Mughal Empire and established a secular state founded on religious tolerance, universal brotherhood, and political unity. His reign saw the rise of Mughal rule in India, which eventually reached new heights of glory and excellence. Despite a bleak and hopeless beginning, Akbar overcame obstacles with determination and led the empire to power and glory. Akbar - Full name: Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar - Also known as Akbar the Great - Born in Amarkot, Sindh, on October 15, 1542 - Reigned from 1556 until 1605. - When his father, Humayun, passed away in 1556 CE, he took the throne at the tender age of 13. - After Humayun's death, his loyal general Bairam Khan became Akbar's regent and looked after/took charge of government affairs. - With powerful enemies like the Afghan and Rajput states surrounding it, the Mughal Empire was weak and unstable during Akbar's rise to power. - Greatly known for his benevolence, liberal attitude & military conquests. - https://youtu.be/QdFGGqTZLo0?si=uxne0GDo1y_CTby5 - https://youtu.be/2nBUT4Eius0?si=MX9ub4g1EM8T5otX Map of Akbar’s Empire in India: Second Battle of Panipat Hemu, who was the CM and General of Adil Shah (Sher Shah's nephew), ruled from Chunar to the Bengal border. After the death of Emperor Humayun in 1556, Hemu declared himself the emperor of India. The battle between Bairam Khan's forces (representing the Mughal Empire, acting as regent for young Akbar) and Hemu’s forces took place at the historic battlefield of Panipat in November 1556. The Mughal army was well-prepared, utilizing strategic formations and their artillery effectively against Hemu’s troops. Outcome of the Battle: The Mughal forces, under Bairam Khan’s command, decisively defeated Hemu’s army. This victory was important because it effectively eliminated the Afghan threat during Akbar's early reign and crushed Afghan power in northern India. Consequences of the Victory: The defeat of Hemu and the Afghan forces marked a turning point for the Mughal Empire, allowing Akbar to strengthen his rule and expand his territories. The victory at Panipat laid the foundation for Akbar’s eventual consolidation of power across India, as it restored stability and authority to the Mughal throne. It represented the Mughals' comeback following a time of disintegration and competition between local powers. Regency of Bairam Khan Bairam Khan served as regent for four years (1556-1560) after the death of Emperor Humayun and during Akbar's early reign. During his regency, Bairam Khan effectively managed the administration of the Mughal Empire on behalf of the young Akbar. He was responsible for overseeing military campaigns, consolidating Mughal power, and maintaining law and order in the empire. He took control of Gwalior, Ajmer, and Jaipur during this regency. Akbar made the decision to assume control of state affairs as he grew older. In 1560, Akbar, feeling ready to assume full control of the empire, decided to dismiss Bairam Khan from his regency. This transition marked a significant shift in power, as Akbar sought to establish his authority and independence as the emperor. Expansion of Mughal empire under Akbar After dismissing Bairam as his regent, he decided to annex more territories to make the Mughals the supreme power ruling India. When Akbar attacked Malwa in 1561, he quickly conquered it. He attacked Gondwana in 1564 CE. Queen Durgavati was ruling at the time as her minor son's regent. She bravely repelled the Mughals' attack, but ultimately Gondwana was taken and annexed by the Mughals. Akbar was opposed by two significant Rajput clans: the Chauhans of Ranthambore and the Sisodiyas of Mewar. He marched against Mewar's capital, Chittor. Loyal chieftain Jaimal defended the fort after Mewar's ruler Rana Udai Singh fled. In 1568 CE, following his death, Akbar's army took control of Chittor. Battle of Haldighati (1576 CE) The Rajputs of Mewar, however, refused to submit. After losing their capital city of Chittor, they came together in support of Udai Singh's brave son, Rana Pratap. It was fought between the army of Mughal emperor Akbar, led by Man Singh I of Amber, and the forces of Maharana Pratap of Mewar. Although often depicted as a major clash, the battle became a symbol of resistance against Mughal imperialism. Rana Pratap continued the fight against the Mughals after Udai Singh's passing. At the Battle of Haldighati in 1576 CE, Rana Pratap fought the Mughal forces after organizing an army with considerable difficulty. The Rajput chief, Raja Man Singh of Amber, was in charge of the Mughal army. The Rajputs were outnumbered and defeated by the Mughal army. Rana Pratap was able to recover parts of his territories before his death, but not Chittor. Rajasthan continues to honor Rana Pratap Singh's memory for his valor, bravery, and heroic lifelong fight to liberate Mewar from Mughal rule. The battle was fought in the Haldighati Pass, a narrow mountain pass in the Aravalli Range, near modern-day Rajsamand in Rajasthan. The Mewar army, led by Maharana Pratap, consisted of around 3,000–5,000 soldiers, while the Mughal army, under Man Singh, had a significantly larger force, possibly numbering between 10,000–20,000 soldiers. The Mewar army included cavalry, infantry, and a few elephants, while the Mughal forces had superior artillery and a strong cavalry force. The battle was fiercely contested, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The Mewari forces were outnumbered, but Maharana Pratap’s leadership and knowledge of the terrain gave his army a certain advantage. Significance: 1. Symbol of Resistance: Despite the tactical defeat, Maharana Pratap's unyielding defiance became a symbol of Rajput pride and resistance to foreign domination. 2. Tactical Brilliance: The battle demonstrated the importance of strategy and terrain in warfare. Pratap's ability to continue resisting for years after the battle shows his persistence. 3. Cultural Impact: The battle is immortalized in Rajasthani folklore, songs, and literature, making Maharana Pratap one of the most revered figures in Indian history. Further Conquests of Akbar Akbar led and built a vast empire. Captured Gujarat in 1572 CE. He gained access to the cotton industry, thriving seaports, and profitable trade, making it a significant conquest. In honor of his triumph over Gujarat, he built the renowned Buland Darwaza and laid the foundation for a new city called Fatehpur Sikri, 23 miles (37km) from Agra. The Mughal State benefited greatly from the conquest of Bengal, providing it with rich revenues and opened the door for maritime trade with Southeast Asian nations. The conquests of Kabul, Kandahar, Kashmir, lower Sind, and Baluchistan occurred in a series of wars. His first missions were to Golconda, Bijapur, and Ahmednagar. He annexed Khandesh and captured the fort of Ahmednagar. Ahmednagar was then home to a Mughal army. Akbar's empire stretched from the Hindukush Mountains to Brahmaputra and the Himalayas to the Godavari. Akbar’s Rajput Policy Akbar understood the importance of the Rajputs' support for the growth and stabilization of his empire. Hence he offered them his friendship. He took various measures to win the Rajputs' trust and loyalty. Some of them are: ○ He wed a number of Rajput princesses. Prince Salim, his son, was wed off to Raja Bhagwan Das of Amber's daughter. He married a princess named Jodha Bai. These alliances helped in building trust and establishing ties with powerful Rajput families. Information about Jodha Bai: https://youtube.com/shorts/9fL0RKuQN4I?si=Z35Aa5t42mw14N7R ○ Rajput chiefs like Todar Mal, Man Singh, and Birbal were given high positions in the army and government by him. ○ Akbar made the wise decision to stay out of the internal affairs of the Rajput states. ○ He treated them with great respect and allowed most Rajput kings to continue ruling over their territories. ○ Conquests and Diplomacy: While Akbar initially engaged in military conquests of Rajput territories, he adopted a policy of diplomacy once he established his power. After defeating Rajput kings, he often offered them autonomy in exchange for loyalty to the Mughal Empire. This allowed many Rajput rulers to retain their territories and influence, provided they recognized Mughal suzerainty. ○ Promotion of Religious Tolerance: Akbar followed a policy of religious tolerance, which was crucial in gaining the support of the Rajputs, many of whom were Hindus. He abolished the jizya tax (a tax on non-Muslims) and encouraged a pluralistic society where various religious communities could coexist. His policy of Sulh-e-Kul (universal tolerance) made the Rajputs feel secure and valued in the empire. ○ Respect for Rajput Traditions: Akbar respected the traditions, customs, and religious beliefs of the Rajputs. He often sought the counsel of Rajput leaders and included them in important decision-making processes, recognizing their autonomy in local affairs. The Rajput women were given complete religious freedom. Administration under Akbar - Akbar divided his kingdom into three divisions: central government, provincial government, and parganas. - Akbar paid great attention to the organisation of the central and provincial governments. - Centralised Monarchy with Akbar holding absolute power. - Akbar’s administrative reforms laid a strong foundation for the Mughal Empire’s governance. His policies of centralization, efficient revenue collection, and military organization contributed to the empire’s stability and expansion. The conciliatory approach to Rajputs also promoted unity and cooperation, resulting in a prosperous and harmonious reign. - The Ain-i-Akbari by Abul Fazl is the primary source of information regarding Akbar’s administrative system. I] CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION His system of central government was based on the structure of government that had evolved under the Delhi Sultanate but the functions of various departments were carefully reorganised and meticulous rules and regulations were laid down for the conduct of affairs. Emperor - head of both civil and military administration. Took all major decisions considering the empire. He served as both the army's supreme judge and the head of the judiciary. Assisted by a group of officials: ○ Wazir/Diwan: head of revenue & finance ○ Mir bakshi: head of military ○ Sadr was the primary advisor on Islamic-related issues. ○ Mir saman: Supervisor of the royal household ○ Vakil or PM: Decreased to the role of ceremonial, advisory head. Met with the public in diwan-i-aam to hear their issues and collect petitions, and he regularly met with senior officials in diwan-i-khas. II] PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION The enormous empire was split up into fifteen subas, or provinces. Each was assigned a governor or subedar and diwan. The subedar was in charge of both civil and military matters. He maintained general law and order. The diwan maintained land revenue records. The provinces were further subdivided into sarkars, or districts, which in turn were subdivided into parghanas, or groups of villages. The panchayats were in charge of the villages. Akbar implemented a system of checks and balances to prevent rebellions in the provinces by distributing power between the subedars and diwans. III] REVENUE ADMINISTRATION One of the greatest achievements of Akbar was the establishment of an excellent administrative system. Land and trade were the two crucial sources of revenue. Raja Todar Mal was in charge of revenue administration. His revenue reforms were and still are referred to as "Raja Todar Mal's bandobast." Adoption of Sher Shah's revenue administration system Some of the revenue reforms are: ○ A bamboo rod (jarib) was used to measure and survey the land. ○ According to its fertility, land was classified as good, middling (avg), or bad. ○ A new system of land revenue assessment was introduced in 1580, known as the dahsala system. Under this system, the average produce and average price of the crops over the last ten years was calculated, and the revenue was fixed on the basis of this average. ○ One-third of the produce was the emperor’s share. It could be paid in cash or in kind. *IN KIND: in the form of crops, non-cash goods. ○ Revenue officials were instructed to treat peasants and farmers kindly. ○ If crops would fail due to natural disasters such as cyclones, droughts or floods, revenue payment was cancelled. ○ Peasants were given loans that could be repaid in convenient installments so they could purchase tools, cattle, and seeds. This revenue system was a complete success. Trade as a Source of Revenue: - Both internal and external trade were encouraged. - India engaged in trade with Central Asia, Persia, Arabia, South Asia, Europe, and China. - A gold coin called the muhar was issued. - Silver and copper coins were also used. - Portuguese established trading centres on the west coast of India. Q. What are the key similarities between Sher Shah and Akbar’s revenue system? Answer: Sher Shah Suri and Akbar, both significant rulers in Indian history, introduced key reforms in their respective revenue systems that had notable similarities. These similarities stemmed from a shared emphasis on centralization, efficiency, and ensuring that the state could collect adequate revenue from agriculture. Here are the key similarities between their revenue systems: 1. Land Revenue Survey and Assessment Sher Shah: He carried out a detailed and systematic land survey, which categorized land into different types based on fertility. This helped in estimating the yield of crops and determining the appropriate amount of tax to be levied on the land. Akbar: Akbar built upon Sher Shah’s land revenue reforms, with his famous "Ain-i-Dahsala" system. He implemented a similar detailed survey of land, categorizing it by type and quality, and fixed taxes based on an assessment of crop yields over a period of 10 years. 2. Fixed and Stable Revenue Demand Sher Shah: He introduced a fixed land revenue system where the state’s demand was fixed at one-third of the produce, ensuring stability and predictability for both the state and the peasants. Akbar: Akbar continued this practice but made the demand more flexible, adjusting it based on the crop and fertility. Still, his system was grounded in the principle of ensuring that revenue demands were based on actual agricultural productivity. 3. Revenue Collected in Cash and Not in Kind Sher Shah: He introduced a system where the revenue was collected in cash rather than in kind (crops), which helped in streamlining the collection process and reducing wastage. Akbar: Akbar also followed this model, especially in areas with a surplus of cash. This helped in the centralization of revenue and made it easier to mobilize resources for the empire. IV] MILITARY ADMINISTRATION ❖In Akbar's empire, the mansabdari system served as the foundation for both civil and military governance. ❖The term 'mansabdar’ is derived from the word ‘mansab’ meaning rank. Hence, mansabdar means - the holder of a rank in administration. ❖Some of the reforms from the mansabdari system are: The mansab of an official depended on the nature and importance of his job. It indicated the salary, status and number of cavalry and elephants they had. Higher mansabs reserved for members of the royal family. The emperor himself appointed, promoted, and fired mansabdars. They were given a salary according to their rank. Their salary was paid in the form of jagirs. A mansab or rank was not hereditary. After the death of the mansabdar, the jagir reverted to the king, who would allot/assign it to someone else. Additionally, there was a system for branding horses and keeping a descriptive soldier roll. (from Alauddin Khilji) He maintained a standing army. The army's most significant branch was cavalry. Mainly, the mansabdars provided troops for the army. He also maintained a well-organized artillery. Akbar’s Religious Policy ➔Akbar realized that in order to build a powerful empire, he needed to first win the trust of his Hindu subjects. ➔He followed a policy of religious tolerance and mutual co-existence. ➔He treated each of his subjects equally. ➔He treated religion as an individual’s personal affair. ➔He remitted pilgrimage tax and abolished jizyah (tax imposed on non-Muslims) ➔Hindus were allowed to worship freely, build temples and celebrate festivals. ➔Akbar also observed and took part in Hindu festivals like Rakshabandhan, Diwali, and Holi. ➔He also abolished the forcible conversion of Hindus to Islam. ➔Sulh-i-Kul, or universal peace, was his policy of promoting tolerance for all religions. ➔He built the Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri to discuss religious matters. ➔He then invited scholars from all religions to hold discussions on theological topics. ➔To further solidify his position in relation to the Muslim spiritual leaders, he also issued a declaration, or mahzar. In the event of divergent opinions, it claimed that Akbar had the right to select any interpretation of the Koran. He was able to solidify his authority over the ulemas as a result. ➔To reconcile differences between various religions, Akbar created a new religious order - Din-i-Ilahi or Divine Monotheism. (divine faith). ➔The concepts of several major religions were combined in it. ➔Its goal was to establish a religious system that all communities could accept. ➔Following were some of the Din-i-Ilahi's primary characteristics: 1] Belief in one God (Monotheistic) 2] Acceptance of the Emperor as God's emissary on earth (similar to the religious concept of Ghiyasuddin Balban, Mamluk Dynasty) 3] The emphasis on compassion, benevolence, and soul-purification. ➔Believes in one God and Sulh-i-Kul i.e, equal toleration and respect to all religious sects. It contained the good points of various religions. ➔There was no social hierarchy or belief in any sacred texts. ➔Din-i-Ilahi came to an end with Akbar’s death. Social and Cultural Development during Akbar’s Reign I] Social Reforms ★In order to eradicate some cruel customs from Indian society, Akbar instituted a number of social reforms. Some of these reforms are as follows. ○ He prohibited Sati and legalized the remarriage of widows. Sati: a custom from the past in which a widow would throw herself onto her husband's funeral pyre, which is a pile of wood where a body is burned as part of a funeral rite. ○ He opposed bal vivah and child marriage. The minimum age of marriage was raised to 14 for girls and 16 for boys. Before a marriage could take place, the bride and groom had to give their consent. II] Educational Reforms ★Akbar reformed the educational system in an effort to promote religious harmony. ○ In the past, education was mainly based on the study of religious scriptures. Akbar gave secular subjects like astronomy, history, agriculture, logic, and mathematics more weight. ○ Mosques and temples served as centres of primary education. ○ Akbar's educational reforms were aimed at both religious and secular learning. He recognized the importance of educating his subjects in diverse fields like science, literature, philosophy, and history. ○ He encouraged the learning of various languages, including Persian, Sanskrit, and Arabic. This helped integrate different cultures and communities under his rule, as Persian was the court language, but Sanskrit connected with Hindu religious traditions. III] Literature Persian was the court language and language of the upper classes. Mughal rulers promoted Persian literature. One of the best Persian poets of the Mughal era, Faizi was Akbar's poet laureate and the brother of Abul Fazl. Abul Fazl was Akbar’s court historian. He wrote Akbarnama, which is an excellent historical work in Persian. In the Mughal court, Hindi was also used. Birbal was appointed the Hindi Kavi Raj or poet laureate in Akbar’s court. A poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government or conferring institution, typically expected to compose poems for special events and occasions. Despite his lack of literacy, Akbar loved reading and had a voracious appetite for information. His library consisted of about 24,000 books, many of which were specially written and illustrated for the emperor by calligraphists. The nine navaratnas, or great scholars, adorned Akbar's court. These included: ○ Abul Fazl ○ Birbal ○ Tansen ○ Faizi ○ Todar Mal ○ Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan ○ Raja Man Singh ○ Abul Fazl and Faizi were the most prominent. ○ Akbar appointed Faizi to translate a number of Sanskrit texts into Persian. Akbar also patronized Hindu poets. A translation department was set up to translate Sanskrit works such as the Atharva Veda, the Mahabharata, the Bhagvad Gita, the Bible, Panchatantra and other famous works from Arabic and Greek into Persian. This provided a common literature and an understanding of different cultures to the middle and upper middle classes. Tulsidas’s Ramcharitramanas and Rahim’s dohas were written during this era. IV] Music Akbar was very fond of music. The music composed during the Mughal period was a combination of Indian and Persian styles of music. According to Abul Fazl, there were 36 top-ranking musicians in Akbar's court. They were divided into seven groups; each group entertained the emperor on one day of the week. The most famous musician at Akbar's court was Tansen. He composed many ragas (including Raga Deepak) and developed and enriched Hindustani music by combining the Indian and Persian styles. Legend has it that whenever Tansen sang the Raga Deepak, diyas of the palace would light up. V] Painting ❖The Mughals made a major contribution to Indian art. ❖Akbar also patronized fine arts and painting. ❖With his initiative and support, a new style of painting evolved where colours such as red and blue were used. ❖Paintings had varied themes. A majority of these paintings depicted hunting scenes and scenes from royal court. ❖There were a large number of painters attached to the library. They spent most of their time illustrating manuscripts. VI] Architecture ➔During Akbar's long and peaceful reign, many buildings were constructed. ➔He made great contributions to architecture. ➔Initially, the style of architecture was Persian, for instance, Humayun's Tomb. However, with the passage of time, Akbar's architectural style became more and more Indian. ➔Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's new capital city, contains the Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai's Palace and the Buland Darwaza. ➔The famous Agra Fort was built in red sandstone. Conclusion: Akbar died in 1605 CE. He was largely responsible for transforming the Mughal state into a powerful State. Consolidating the broken empire, establishing a powerful, centralized government, and establishing a secular state founded on religious tolerance were all under his purview. Akbar was the representative of the Golden Age of the Mughal Empire. He established the framework for a secular nation-state founded on the ideas of political unification, religious tolerance, and universal fraternity. ___________________________________________________________________

Akbar The Great PDF - History & Civics

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