Rise of the Mughal Empire and the Reign of Akbar the Great DOCUMENTARY

Summary

This video explores the rise of the Mughal Empire and the reign of Akbar the Great, the 16th-century emperor who transformed India through military conquests and administrative reforms. Akbar's rule is renowned for uniting a fragmented subcontinent, fostering multiculturalism, and promoting religious tolerance. The documentary delves into the military strategies, political reforms, and philosophical insights that defined Akbar's reign, shaping a golden age for the Mughal Empire. His efforts laid the foundation for modern India, leaving a legacy of pluralism, unity, and progressive governance.

Takeaways

• ⚔️ Akbar the Great was a 16th-century Mughal ruler who greatly expanded and consolidated the Mughal Empire in India.
• 📜 His reign is revered for impressive military conquests and administrative reforms that promoted progressive multiculturalism.
• 🕌 Akbar's rule united India, promoting religious tolerance and ending long-standing divisions between various cultures and religions.
• 🌍 The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur after the decisive victory at the Battle of Panipat in 1526, which led to the overthrow of the Delhi Sultanate.
• 🐘 Akbar's military prowess was highlighted by his use of gunpowder, cannons, and cavalry, enabling him to defeat powerful enemies like Sultan Ibrahim Lodi and later Hindu forces.
• 💡 Akbar was known for administrative reforms that centralized power, such as the creation of the Mansabdari system, which structured the military and civil administration.
• 🤝 He was also known for conciliatory policies toward the Rajputs, incorporating them into the Mughal administration, which further strengthened his rule.
• 📚 Despite being illiterate, Akbar was a patron of learning and philosophy, organizing debates between different religious scholars and creating the syncretic Divine Faith.
• 🏛️ His reign marked a golden age for the Mughal Empire, not just in military conquests but also in diplomacy, trade expansion, and fostering a diverse and tolerant state.
• 👑 Akbar's legacy laid the groundwork for a unified and pluralistic India, with his empire's cultural and administrative advancements influencing the region for centuries.

Q & A

Who was Akbar the Great?

Akbar the Great was a 16th-century Mughal ruler of India who is renowned for his military conquests and administrative reforms. His reign is known for fostering multiculturalism and uniting India for the first time in over a millennium.

What made Akbar's reign significant beyond military conquest?

Apart from military conquests, Akbar's reign was significant for its administrative reforms, promotion of religious tolerance, and efforts to unite the diverse cultures and religions in his empire. He is known for abolishing the jizya tax, encouraging trade, and fostering cooperation between different faiths.

What was the historical context of India before Akbar's reign?

Before Akbar's reign, India was divided into various regional powers, including the remnants of the Delhi Sultanate, the Vijayanagara Empire, and multiple Hindu and Muslim kingdoms. There was a long history of consolidation, fragmentation, and cultural mixing, with Muslim and Hindu powers frequently clashing for control.

How did Babur, Akbar’s grandfather, establish the Mughal Empire?

Babur, a descendant of the Timurids, established the Mughal Empire by defeating the Delhi Sultanate at the Battle of Panipat in 1526. With an army of around 20,000, equipped with modern artillery, he decisively won against a much larger army, paving the way for Mughal rule in India.

What challenges did Akbar face early in his reign?

Early in his reign, Akbar faced challenges from local powers like the Suri Empire and rival nobles within his own court. His rule was initially contested by a powerful Hindu general named Hemu, who led multiple successful campaigns until Akbar defeated him at the Second Battle of Panipat.

What was the significance of Akbar’s administrative reforms?

Akbar's administrative reforms centralized the Mughal Empire’s governance by restructuring the military and civil service under the non-hereditary 'mansabdari' system. This system placed appointments and promotions under the emperor's control, increased efficiency, and ensured a more stable administration.

How did Akbar handle relations with non-Muslim subjects?

Akbar handled relations with non-Muslim subjects by adopting policies of religious tolerance and integration. He abolished the jizya tax on non-Muslims, welcomed Hindus and Jains into his administration, and promoted unity by creating a syncretic religious movement called the 'Divine Faith'.

What role did diplomacy play in Akbar's expansion of the Mughal Empire?

Diplomacy played a key role in Akbar’s expansion of the Mughal Empire, particularly in his dealings with the Rajput kingdoms. By offering them autonomy in exchange for their allegiance and military support, Akbar was able to incorporate their lands into the empire while avoiding prolonged conflicts.

How did Akbar's economic policies contribute to the empire's prosperity?

Akbar's economic policies, such as reducing customs duties, improving transportation infrastructure, and securing trade routes, stimulated commerce and trade. This led to a significant commercial expansion, allowing the Mughal Empire to thrive economically and access international markets.

What legacy did Akbar leave behind after his death in 1605?

Akbar left behind a legacy of military conquest, administrative reforms, and religious tolerance. His reign marked the beginning of a golden age for the Mughal Empire, laying the groundwork for the future unification of India and fostering the development of pluralism and tolerance in the region.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Rise of Akbar and Mughal India

Akbar the Great was a 16th-century Mughal emperor of India who expanded his empire to unprecedented heights. He is revered for both his military conquests and his administrative reforms that unified India's diverse cultures and religions. The Mughal Empire's origins trace back to Central Asian roots, with Babur, the first emperor, who after several unsuccessful campaigns in the west, shifted his focus to India. His victory at the Battle of Panipat in 1526, where he decisively defeated the Lodi dynasty, marked the beginning of Mughal rule in India. This battle was a turning point in Indian history, solidifying Mughal dominance and laying the foundation for Akbar's reign.

05:01

⚔️ Babur's Invasion and Early Mughal Struggles

After the victory at Panipat, Babur captured Delhi and Agra, establishing Mughal dominance in India. However, the empire's early years were marked by internal struggles and external challenges. Babur's successors, including his son Humayun, faced revolts and powerful rivals like Sher Shah Suri. Humayun initially succeeded in his campaigns but was eventually forced into exile, where his son Akbar was born. As an exile, Humayun faced challenges, but his eventual return marked the resurgence of Mughal rule. This tumultuous period set the stage for Akbar's rise to power, where he would go on to shape the future of the empire.

10:02

👑 Akbar's Early Rule and Military Reforms

Akbar, inheriting the empire as a teenager after Humayun's death, faced early threats from powerful rivals such as the Suri dynasty and local Hindu forces. Under the guidance of his guardian Bairam Khan, Akbar successfully defeated enemies in key battles like the Second Battle of Panipat, stabilizing his rule. As he matured, Akbar shifted his political base to India, moving away from Kabul. He dismissed his guardian and assumed full control, launching military campaigns in Malwa and Gondwana. However, internal challenges such as noble infighting and assassination attempts highlighted the need for administrative reforms to consolidate his power.

15:03

🏛️ Akbar’s Administrative Reforms and Military Campaigns

Akbar initiated significant administrative reforms to centralize and strengthen the Mughal state. He implemented the 'Mansabdari' system, restructuring the military and bureaucracy by making appointments non-hereditary and directly linking them to the emperor. Akbar also introduced new financial mechanisms to improve tax collection and maintain the empire’s readiness for war. His campaigns, notably against the Rajputs, were marked by a blend of warfare and diplomacy, allowing the Rajput clans to retain local control in exchange for tribute and military support. These efforts fostered cooperation between Muslim and non-Muslim factions, laying the groundwork for a multicultural empire.

🌍 Akbar’s Tolerance and Religious Policies

Akbar’s policies reflected a commitment to religious tolerance and pluralism. He abolished the jizya tax on non-Muslims, welcomed Hindus, Jains, and other religious groups into his government, and promoted policies that reduced religious conflict. His personal interest in philosophy and religion led to his patronage of scholars and theologians from different faiths, and he even founded a new syncretic belief system known as the 'Divine Faith.' Akbar’s efforts to bridge cultural and religious divides were significant in promoting unity within his diverse empire and helped lay the foundations for the pluralistic traditions seen in modern India.

⚔️ Akbar's Military Expansion and Legacy

Akbar's military campaigns continued with great success, including the conquest of Gujarat, Bengal, and the northern frontier regions. His military might expanded Mughal control over the entire breadth of India, giving the empire access to important trade routes and markets. The Mughal Empire became one of the most powerful and economically vibrant empires of its time. Akbar's legacy of tolerance, administrative reforms, and military conquests ensured the longevity of the Mughal Empire, setting the stage for continued Mughal dominance in India. His reign, which ended with his death in 1605, is remembered as a golden age of Mughal rule, deeply influencing the history of India.

Keywords

💡Akbar the Great

Akbar the Great was a 16th-century Mughal emperor of India known for his military conquests, administrative reforms, and promotion of multiculturalism. His reign is significant for uniting India, bringing stability, and fostering religious tolerance. In the video, Akbar is portrayed as both a warrior king and a philosopher, deeply influencing the Mughal Empire and setting the foundation for modern India's pluralistic society.

💡Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire was a major dynasty that ruled India for several centuries, starting in the 16th century under Babur. Akbar’s reign marks a golden age of this empire, with its expansion across the subcontinent and progressive reforms. The video outlines the empire’s origins with Babur, its consolidation under Akbar, and its lasting influence on Indian history and governance.

💡Battle of Panipat

The Battle of Panipat refers to two significant battles in Mughal history. The first in 1526 established Babur’s Mughal Empire in India after his victory over the Delhi Sultanate, while the second in 1556 solidified Akbar’s rule. Both battles were turning points in Mughal dominance and are highlighted in the video as crucial moments in their military success.

💡Religious Tolerance

Religious tolerance was a cornerstone of Akbar's rule, where he worked to bridge divides between Muslims, Hindus, and other faiths. Akbar abolished the jizya tax on non-Muslims and welcomed people of all religions into his administration, fostering cooperation. The video emphasizes this policy as part of Akbar’s legacy in creating a multicultural empire.

💡Administrative Reforms

Akbar introduced numerous administrative reforms that centralized power and increased efficiency in the Mughal Empire. His Mansabdari system, where military officers were ranked and appointed directly by the emperor, played a key role in maintaining the empire’s stability and readiness. The video credits these reforms for transforming the Mughal state into a well-organized and powerful empire.

💡Mansabdari System

The Mansabdari system was a hierarchical administrative and military ranking system implemented by Akbar. It assigned officials ranks based on their command of troops and their responsibilities to maintain forces. This system centralized control and strengthened the Mughal military apparatus, as described in the video during the discussion of Akbar’s reforms.

💡Babur

Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire, originating from the Timurid dynasty. His victory at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 led to the establishment of Mughal rule in India. The video explains Babur’s early struggles and his eventual success in India, setting the stage for Akbar's future expansion.

💡Sher Shah Suri

Sher Shah Suri was a formidable opponent of the Mughal Empire, known for temporarily overthrowing Humayun and establishing the Suri dynasty. His reforms and military strategies left a lasting impact on India. The video touches on his influence and the period of Mughal instability before Akbar’s ascension.

💡Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism refers to the coexistence of multiple cultures and religions within a single state. Akbar's policies aimed at fostering harmony among diverse religious and ethnic groups within his empire, creating a more unified and tolerant society. The video highlights this as one of Akbar’s greatest achievements, marking a new era in India’s cultural development.

💡Jizya Tax

The Jizya tax was a religious tax imposed on non-Muslims under Islamic rule. Akbar famously abolished this tax as part of his policy of religious tolerance, aiming to integrate non-Muslims into the Mughal administration. The video emphasizes this as a key part of Akbar’s efforts to promote unity and acceptance within his empire.

Highlights

Akbar the Great was a 16th-century Mughal ruler who led his empire to unprecedented heights, uniting India for the first time in over a millennium.

Akbar's reign is renowned not only for military conquests but also for his administrative reforms that ushered in an era of progressive multiculturalism.

Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, won the decisive Battle of Panipat in 1526, defeating the Delhi Sultanate with advanced artillery and tactics.

Humayun, Babur's son, faced numerous challenges and was temporarily exiled after losing much of the Mughal Empire to Sher Shah Suri.

Akbar, born in 1542 during Humayun's exile, was educated as a warrior and eventually became the ruler of the Mughal Empire at a young age.

Akbar's early reign saw the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556, where he decisively defeated Hemu and stabilized his rule in northern India.

Akbar dismissed his guardian, Bairam Khan, and began directly governing, launching military campaigns to expand and consolidate the Mughal Empire.

Akbar implemented the Mansabdari system, a hierarchical military and civil administration that centralized Mughal governance and ensured efficiency.

Akbar's policy of conciliatory conquest allowed Rajput rulers to retain control of their lands in exchange for tribute and military support, fostering unprecedented cooperation.

Akbar abolished the jizya tax and lifted decrees forcing non-Muslims to convert, promoting religious tolerance and inclusivity within his empire.

Akbar created the syncretic 'Divine Faith' movement, which aimed to reconcile beliefs from multiple religions, reflecting his interest in philosophy and religious unity.

Under Akbar's rule, the Mughal Empire expanded to include Gujarat and Bengal, gaining control of vital trade routes and seaports, stimulating commerce.

Akbar's efforts to foster religious and cultural unity contributed to the foundations of modern India's pluralism and multiculturalism.

Akbar repelled an invasion from his relative, Mirza, and expanded the Mughal Empire into Afghanistan and Sindh, further solidifying his rule.

Akbar's death in 1605 at the age of 49 marked the end of an era, but his reign set the stage for the Mughal Empire's golden age, lasting over 200 years.

Transcripts

Akbar the great was the 16th century

Mughal ruler of India who led his empire

to never-before-seen heights in a land

of countless cultures and religions his

reign is almost universally revered

today not just for its impressive

military conquests but also its

incredible administrative reforms that

ushered in a new age of progressive

multiculturalism which United India for

the first time in over a millennia

today we'll be reliving the rise of the

Mughals and the reign of Akbar the Great

this video was made possible by our

patrons who requested today's

fascinating topic the era we are looking

at is the tail end of the medieval

period in India for several centuries

the subcontinent

had seen a long succession of powers

vying for control of the region

increasingly this had included external

forces the rise of Islam in the 7th

century and the ensuing Muslim conquests

for instance ratcheted up the intensity

of northwestern raids which had long

been a feature of Indian history

invading Muslim forces managed to gain a

foothold which was eventually expanded

into the Delhi Sultanate in the 1200s

and went on to control much of the

subcontinent the mongols too would

launch several invasions in the 13th and

14th centuries which managed to occupied

the border regions but were ultimately

rebuffed by the already entrenched Delhi

Sultanate at the same time there would

be many counter conquests led by the

native Hindus with the dizzying amount

of consolidation and fragmentation

taking place across India this swirl of

action made it a truly transformative

period of cultural and religious mixing

thus by the end of the 15th century when

our story begins we see an India that is

split up into a variety of regional

powers to the far north are the remnants

of the declining in Delhi Sultanate

there flanked to the east by the

separatist Sultanate of Bengal the

tribal Hindu kingdoms of Gondwana and

Orissa and the expanding multi-ethnic

kingdom of a home to the west they are

flanked by the rush put Hindu States and

numerous dynasties in River Valley

regions like the Sindh

in the center of India are the five

Deccan sultanates fragmentary remains of

the BOK mana kingdom which had itself

broken off from the Delhi Sultanate to

their South lies the predominantly Hindu

power of the Vijayanagara Empire which

had coalesced to ward off invading

Islamic armies and further south are the

island inhabitants of Lanka and perched

over all of this were the remnants of

the Turco Mongol Empire of the Tim raids

it is from this central asian group that

the Mughals would arrive and in fact

drive their name the Mughal Empire was

founded by Babur as one of the many Tim

Red princes vying for control of the

vast territory he launched numerous

campaigns from its holdings in modern

news Baku Stan

however after more than a decade of

fighting baba proved unable to make much

headway in the west and instead turned

east in 1504 his forces seized Kabul in

Afghanistan and later took the strategic

region of Kandahar in 1522 from here he

would launch five successive raids into

Northwest India the last one in 1525 saw

an elite army of over 10,000 descend on

the delhi sultanate armed with a strong

cavalry force and state-of-the-art

artillery Babur would pick up additional

allies and mercenaries on the way which

raised his numbers to around 20,000

however they were countered by a massive

army of the Lodi dynasty which is

reported to have fielded over 50,000 men

and 1,000 elephants the two would clash

decisively at the Battle of Panipat in

1526 the engagement began with Bob are

setting up fortifications to deal with

the approaching enemy he anchored his

right flank against the city of Pawnee

pod while his left flank was protected

by a trench the center was reinforced

with the long barricade made from

hundreds of carts and additional

breastworks

breaks in the line were created to allow

the army to Sally out when necessary

when Barber deployed his troops he sent

forth light skirmishers to form a screen

in front of a formidable entrenched gun

line made of bowmen mash locks and

cannons behind them with the core of the

infantry and heavy cavalry ready to plug

gaps in the front line or sally out in

attack

on both flanks were then deployed light

cavalry and horse archers for harassment

and envelopment duties on the opposite

side of the battlefield Sultan Ibrahim

Lodi deployed a front line of armored

elephants with heavy cavalry flanks

protecting a center of inferior but

numerous foot troops when battle began

the novelty of the gunfire terrified the

elephants which panicked and made a mess

of the approaching enemy infantry

Barbara's screen fell back behind the

defense's drawing the enemy in while his

cavalry wings and mobile reserves swung

around the sides to slam into the deli

flanks these tactics devastated the

enemy which dissolved into a rout losing

their commander and nearly 15,000 men in

the process the battle of Panipat was a

turning point in the invasion in the

aftermath baba went on to capture the

major cities of Delhi and Agra

overthrowing the Delhi Sultanate and

founding the Mughal Empire however his

position would not go unchallenged and

over the following years many battles

would be fought with local powers much

of the violence took on a religious

angle as the Muslim armies wrought

particularly bloody carnage on the Hindu

and Sikh communities they encountered

ultimately however Babur

would successfully defend the new empire

yet he would not have much time to

consolidate his holdings or enjoy the

spoils of war as within five years the

newly crowned Emperor died of illness in

1530 Babur would be succeeded by his two

eldest sons Humayun who inherited the

new Indian territories in the east and

Mirza who inherited the older

territories to the west the 22 year old

who maroon faced the daunting task of

pacifying and consolidating the

freshly-minted realm his primary

opposition in these matters came from

Sultan Bahadur of Gujarat to the south

and the former Mughal ruler Sher Shah

Suri to the east who may own first made

a push to drive back the forces of

Bahadur which were now being equipped

with gunpowder weaponry provided by the

Portuguese the campaign proved

successful at first until Humayun was

forced to yield ground to counter an

invasion coming in from Sher Shah this

new threat proved far more dangerous as

the eastern commander was a fierce

warrior and clever general over several

months the invasion woodcarver

path through the Mughal Empire which was

suffering from revolt and betrayal

within the royal family bested at the

Battle of Casa in the Battle of bill

Grom the pressure grew so great that

Humayun was forced to flee as a refugee

towards Sindh in the southwest

effectively turning his domains over to

Sher Shah Suri while in exile humayan's

pregnant wife would give birth to a son

in 1542 his name

Jalal Dean Mohammed Akbar as an emperor

in exile Humayun had to engage in much

travel and politicking to safeguard his

current position and future prospects as

a part of these arrangements the young

heir would be sent to the stronghold of

Kabul for safekeeping under the watchful

eye of his extended family here akbar

would spend his youth

according to chroniclers he is reported

to have been educated as a warrior which

included the typical tropes of hunting

running and fighting though these came

at the expense of learning to read and

write the youth had an inquisitive mind

and would routinely have servants recite

passages to him in the evenings at 14

akbar was made Viceroy of the Afghan

province and married to his

nine-year-old cousin in commemoration of

this event emperor Humayun lavished on

his son great wealth attendants and

soldiers meanwhile back in India Sher

Shah Suri had been hard at work

expanding and reforming the conquered

Mughal domains his achievements would be

greatly influential to the region and

lay the groundwork for much that was to

come however these efforts would be cut

short in 1545 when Sher Shah was killed

unexpectedly by an explosion whilst

conducting a siege this triggered a

chaotic period of succession that

ultimately resulted in the fracturing of

the Suri Empire within a few years this

moment of opportunity would be seized

upon by human who led a swift reconquest

of his throne that captured Delhi by

1555

however tranquillity once again proved

fleeting within just a few months the

Emperor too would be dead falling prey

to illness and passing on the crown to

the teenage Akbar for the time being the

young region served mostly as a

figurehead while his guardian bærum Khan

ruled on his behalf the situation was

precarious the death of Akbar's father

had

once again weekend the crown and opened

the floodgates two armed contenders the

cerise now swept back in recapturing

lost land and pushing on delhi one of

the greatest adversaries to rise out of

this period would be hay Moo a gifted

Hindu general who's reported to have won

over twenty consecutive engagements his

furious assault was on the verge of

forcing the complete withdrawal of

Mughal forces from the east to make

matters worse the Mughals of the West in

Kabul were facing their own invasion and

proved unable or unwilling to offer help

to meet this crisis Akbar and his

guardian Byram Khan re marshaled the

Mughal army in India they then led this

force out striking at the most powerful

of their enemies several encounters

would follow with another huge clash at

the Second Battle of Panipat here the

fighting once again featured huge

numbers of cavalry gunpowder units and

armored elephants the enemy general hae

mu even personally led his troops from

atop his tank of a war elephant and

launched into the thick of the fighting

when Hema was injured however his army

despaired thinking him dead and fell

into a rout this great victory proved a

turning point in Akbar's early campaign

to consolidate his rule over the next

six months the Mughals would win several

more major battles against their

opponents securing the important cities

of Lahore Multan and ashmar by 1558

Akbar's position was stabilized but he

had plans to do more than just that in a

departure from his father and

grandfather Akbar now ordered the

relocation of much of his political

infrastructure from Kabul to the east

India would be his domain the young

Emperor was now 18 and ready to take on

the full mantle of his position as such

he dismissed his guardian Bairam Khan

following a court dispute and ordered

him to go on a Hajj to Mecca the elder

man took up arms in response but was

ultimately defeated by Mughal army

forgiven by Akbar and soon after

assassinated by an unknown enemy

following this brief court intrigue

Akbar was now free to take the reins of

the Empire he began by launching

military campaigns into Malwa and

northern Gondwana these conquests

successfully expanded the borders of the

realm and bra

with them many spoils of war on the

surface it proved the continued strength

of the Mughal military with its powerful

elephants heavy Calvary and gunpowder

units however beneath the surface these

campaigns revealed the fault lines

within the Mughal nobility as powerful

figures squabbled amongst one another

four pieces of the spoils and even

challenged the Emperor the infighting

proved so pervasive that there was even

an assassination attempt on Akbar

ordered by a noble in his own court

something had to be done to combat the

fractious nature of this current system

Akbar launched a series of reforms aimed

at centralizing the administration of

the Mughal Empire some of the major

changes included restructuring the civil

and military ranks under the

non-hereditary months of dari system

putting the Emperor in charge of all

appointments and promotions paying

officials directly from the Imperial

Treasury or through land grants creating

new financial positions to supervise

revenue collection and reorganizing the

network of news writers who reported

important events to the Emperor while

these efforts would take time to

implement they successfully transformed

the Mughal Empire into a more

efficiently managed state at the same

time the military was also undergoing

its own transformation this was largely

tied to the men some dari system we

briefly mentioned in essence what it did

was establish a clear hierarchical

system of ranks for military officers

each of which was in command of an

increasing number of troops starting

from 10 men to as high as 10,000 their

responsibility was not just to lead but

also to raise these forces in accordance

to specific quotas paid for by their

salary for instance one might be

obligated to maintain 340 horses 100

elephants and 400 camels in addition to

another 300 spare horses 100 mules and

160 carts

thus the Mughal military enjoyed a high

state of readiness and quality with

armies being able to coalesce and

mobilize quite quickly when needed Akbar

would go on to use this apparatus to

conduct further military campaigns the

next major target was the land of the

rush puts its clans and Kings had long

eluded conquest due to their fierce

reputation as warriors and their

numerous strongholds

however Akbar would succeed where others

by a careful policy of warfare and

diplomacy the end result is that the

rash boots were allowed to retain

control over their land in exchange for

paying tribute supplying troops and

acknowledging Akbar as their Emperor

furthermore the doors of Mughal

administration were open to the rush

boots and many would fill its ranks in

the years to come this policy of

conciliatory conquests would lead to

unprecedented levels of cooperation

between non-muslim subjects and the

Islamic Mughal government which was to

become one of the great legacies of

Akbar's reign

in 1572 at the age of 30 Akbar launched

new campaigns into Gujarat in the West

followed shortly by invasions of Bengal

in the East the Emperor and his armies

were victorious in numerous battles and

succeeded in conquering the regions

within five years

these efforts hugely expanded Mughal

power as they took control of incredibly

fertile regions with impressive

industrial outputs and numerous seaports

the previously landlocked Mughals now

spanned the entire breadth of India with

control of trade hubs that granted them

access to the far-flung markets of the

east and west this led to a huge

commercial expansion which was further

encouraged by Mughal policies meant to

stimulate trade such as the levying of

reduced custom duties the improvement of

transportation infrastructure and the

establishment of patrols and forts to

safeguard trade routes for the next

decade Akbar would preoccupy himself

with settling domestic issues some of

this involved military action aimed at

crushing revolts or rebuffing incursions

from its neighbours however much of it

was aimed at uniting the far-flung lands

of his religiously and culturally

diverse Empire this was accomplished by

adopting a policy of tolerance and

reconciliation between groups for

instance within the Muslim community he

would curb shia-sunni conflict and

ensured that his government remained

neutral when it came to internal

sectarian struggles when it came to

non-muslims like the Hindus and Jains

Akbar abolished the jizya tax and lifted

decrees which had previously been used

to elicit forced conversions all were

also welcomed into his government which

led to an incredible degree of

bridge-building and cooperation between

the faiths which many identify as having

contributed to the foundations of modern

India it's fascinating to also

realized that many of these decisions

stemmed from Akbar's own interest in

philosophy and religion despite being

illiterate himself the Emperor was a

huge patron of learning who established

many libraries and centers of Education

he engaged deeply with the matters at

hand organizing and often participating

in lively discussions with theologians

mystics and even atheists Akbar sought

defined wisdom in all teachings and is

said to have adopted a wide variety of

customs and holidays from his subjects

it's this sort of thinking that led him

to actually reconcile the beliefs of

many faiths through the creation of the

syncretic religious movement called the

divine faith while this may have opened

him up to attack from some of the

Orthodox Muslim subjects it went a long

way in further promoting unity within

the realm

thus Akbar came to be seen as a great

philosopher King

however we should remember that he wore

many crowns and still remained a warrior

King as well this fact would become

quite evident in the following decade

and 1581 Akbar s realm would come under

attack from his relative Mirza who is

based out of Kabul in response the

Emperor led an army to repel the

invaders pushing them all the way back

to Afghanistan and ultimately taking the

region for many years additional

campaigns were waged in these northern

frontiers to conquer and pacify the area

in the 1590s Mughal armies also gained

control of Sindh and began to wrestle

over territory with the Deccan Sultan's

thus by 1600 the Mughal lands of Akbar

had more than tripled since the time of

his father surely the Emperor had yet

more ambitious plans in the works

however in 1605 he fell victim to

illness and died within a month at the

age of 49 he would leave behind an

incredible legacy of conquest diplomacy

and reform which justifiably earned him

the title of Akbar the great in the

short term his reign kicked off a new

golden age and paved the way for further

Mughal rule which would soon encompass

almost the entire subcontinent and lasts

over 200 years their stewardship and the

precedent set by Akbar proved deeply

impactful to the history of modern India

with one of the most lasting

contributions being the evolution of

pluralism and tolerance in a deeply

multicultural and multi-ethnic State

I hope you've enjoyed this fascinating

look into the rise of the Mughals and

the reign of Akbar the great I learned

so much in the preparation of this

documentary and can't thank our patrons

enough for suggesting the topic and

funding its production definitely let me

know what topics you would like to see

us cover see you in the next one