Akbar’s Reign [1556-1605]
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Akbar the Great |
Humayun’s heir, Akbar was born in exile and was only thirteen years old when his father died. He survived to demonstrate his worth, thanks to his exceptionally capable guardian, Bairam Khan.
Jodabai,
Akbar's wife Akbar’s reign is
prominent due to the fact that he was the first Mughal ruler to
firmly lay the foundation of the Mughal empire. After a series of
conquests, area under the empire was increased and conciliatory
policy towards the Rajputs reduced any threat from them. As a potent
gesture of good faith, Akbar took a Rajput bride who bore him his
heir. Akbar’s rule also stands out due to his liberal policies towards
the non-Muslims, his religious reforms, and Mansabdari system.
Akbar’s Mansabdari system became the basis of Mughal military
organization and civil administration, with changes made by later
Mughals.
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Mughal miniature painting showing Akbar |
The reign of Akbar was a period of renaissance of Persian literature. The Ain-i-Akbari gives the names of fifty-nine great Persian poets of Akbar’s court. History was the most important branch of Persian prose literature. Abul-Fazl’s "Akbarnama" and Ain-i-Akbari are complementary works.
Tansen was an
accomplished musician of Akbar's
court Akbar and his successors,
Jehangir and Shah Jehan greatly contributed to the development of
Indian music. Tansen was the most accomplished musician of the age.
Ain-i-Akbari gives the names of thirty-six first rate musicians of
Akbar’s court where Hindu and Muslim systems of music mingled
freely.
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Painting from Hamza-namah. Among the first major work of the Mughal school, the painting was originally begun under Humayun, but completed during Akbar |
The history of Mughal architecture begins with Babur. He, however, did not usher in any new style or movement. The adverse political circumstances did not afford much opportunity to Humayun to undertake any significant architectural activity. The Mughal architectural style began as a definite movement under Akbar. In spirit, the structure of Humayun’s tomb stands as an example of synthesis of two great building traditions of Asia, namely the Persian and the Indian.
Akbar’s most ambitious and magnificent architectural undertaking was the new capital city that he built on the ridge at Sikri near Agra. To commemorate Akbar’s conquest of Gujrat in 1572, the city was named Fatehpur. The most impressive creation of this new capital is the grand Jamia Masjid. The southern entrance to the Jamia Masjid is an impressive gateway known as "Buland Darwaza". The total height of this gateway is 53 meters. Like most other buildings at Fatehpur Sikri, the fabric of this impressive gateway is of red sandstone which is relieved by carving and discreet inlaying of white marble.
