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Old NCERT Summary (Satish Chandra): Consolidation of Mughal Empire (Age of Akbar) | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Introduction

After Humayun ’s death, Akbar confronted a tough situation with Delhi under Afghan control. In 1556 , he secured a crucial victory at the second battle of Panipat against Hemu , marking a significant Mughal triumph. Initially, Bairam Khan acted as Akbar's regent for the first five years, but after being dismissed and sent to Mecca , he was killed by an Afghan. Akbar then embarked on extensive military campaigns to expand and strengthen his empire.

Early Phase Contest with Nobility

  • Bairam Khan , as regent, tightened control over the nobility and expanded the empire significantly.
  • His growing arrogance led to his downfall; he chose to go to Mecca, where he was assassinated.
  • The Uzbeks emerged as a powerful faction within the nobility, revolting against Akbar from 1561 to 1567 .
  • During this time, Akbar made Jaunpur his capital and eventually subdued the Uzbeks.
  • The Mirzas also rebelled, supporting Akbar's half-brother, Mirza Hakim , as their leader.
  • Akbar's military campaigns involved marching from Jaunpur to Lahore to suppress the revolts, returning to Jaunpur to defeat the Uzbeks in 1567 .
  • After gaining control over the nobility, Akbar focused on expanding the Mughal Empire .

Early Expansion

  • During Bairam Khan ’s regency, the Mughal Empire expanded by conquering Ajmer and Malwa .
  • Bairam Khan initially supported Akbar effectively but later fell out of favour and chose to submit to him.
  • After defeating the Uzbeks, Akbar turned his attention to Malwa , defeating Baz Bahadur and bringing the region under Mughal control.
  • The kingdom of Garh Katanga , situated in the Narmada Valley and consisting of Gond and Rajput states, was also integrated into the Mughal Empire during this period.
  • In the following decade, Akbar captured Rajasthan , Gujarat , and Bengal .
  • The conquest of Chittor in Rajasthan was particularly significant, symbolising Rajput resistance and providing a strategic route to Gujarat.
  • The fall of Chittor led to the submission of most Rajputs, except for Mewar .
  • Akbar captured Gujarat, a vital trade centre, following a rebellion by the Mirzas.
  • In Bengal, internal conflicts and Daud Khan's declaration of independence facilitated Akbar's establishment of control over the region.

Administration

  • Akbar revamped the corrupt revenue system established by Sher Shah , appointing karoris to oversee revenue collection and verify information from qanungos .
  • With help from Raja Todar Mai , he implemented the Zabti , Bandobast , or Dahsala System , where revenue was mainly paid in cash.
  • The batai system allowed peasants to pay revenue in cash or kind, while the nasak system estimated payments based on previous years' records.
  • Revenue was determined by the average yield of land over the past ten years, with land classified into four types for assessment.

Land Classification

  • Polaj : Land cultivated every year.
  • Parauti : Land cultivated once in two years.
  • Chachar : Land cultivated once in three or four years.
  • Banjar : Land cultivated once in five or more years.

Mansabdari System and Army under Akbar

  • Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system within his administration.
  • Every officer was assigned a rank, ranging from 10 to 5000 for nobles, with princes receiving even higher ranks.
  • Ranks were divided into two categories: Zat (personal status) and Sawar (number of cavalrymen to be maintained).
  • Every sawar had to maintain at least two horses.
  • All appointments, promotions, and dismissals were directly managed by the emperor.

Organisation of Government under Akbar

  • Akbar made few changes to the existing government structure; the Pargana and Sarkar systems continued as before.
  • The chief officers of the Sarkar included:
    • Fauzdar - responsible for maintaining law and order
    • Amalguzar - responsible for revenue collection
  • The territories were divided into:
    • Jagir - lands allotted to nobles and royal family members
    • Khalisa - lands with income going directly to the royal treasury
    • Inam - lands allotted to learned and religious individuals

Relation with the Rajputs

  • Akbar strengthened ties with the Rajputs by marrying a Rajput princess, the daughter of Raja Bharmal .
  • For four generations, the Rajputs served the Mughals loyally, with many rising to the rank of military generals.
  • Notable Rajputs like Raja Man Singh and Raja Bhagawan Das were appointed to senior positions in the Mughal administration.
  • Despite most Rajput states surrendering to Akbar, the Ranas of Mewar continued their resistance, facing multiple defeats.
  • In 1576 , the Mughal army achieved a significant victory over Rana Pratap Singh at the battle of Haldighati .
  • Following this defeat, many other Rajput leaders submitted to Akbar and recognised his authority.
  • Akbar's approach to the Rajputs included broad religious toleration, exemplified by his abolition of the pilgrim tax and later the jiziya tax.

Rebellions and Further Expansion

  • The new administrative system faced resistance from many nobles due to:
    • Stricter administrative controls
    • Increased oversight of nobles
    • Greater attention to the needs of the common people
  • This led to strong sentiments for regional independence and the emergence of rebellions in Bengal and Bihar , reaching up to Jaunpur, linked to the stringent enforcement of the Dagh system .
  • Mirza Hakim , Akbar's half-brother and ruler of Kabul, supported the rebellion and planned to invade Punjab with Afghan allies.

Expeditions

  • Akbar undertook a campaign to Lahore to quell the rebellion and became the first Indian ruler to enter Kabul .
  • Demonstrating his broad-mindedness, he entrusted the kingdom of Kabul to his sister.
  • Akbar also conquered Sindh and remained in Lahore until the threat from the Uzbek rebellion was neutralised.
  • After securing the north-west, he focused on expanding towards the east, west, and Deccan regions.
  • Akbar's expansion aimed for both political unity and cultural integration among the diverse populations of his vast empire.

State, Religion & Social Reforms

  • Akbar's religious policies played a crucial role in shaping his historical legacy.
  • Although a devout Muslim, he abolished the pilgrim tax following his marriage to Jodha Bai of Amber.
  • In 1562 , he eliminated the jiziya tax .
  • He permitted his Hindu wives to worship their deities without restrictions.
  • In 1575 , Akbar founded the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) in his new capital, Fatehpur Sikri , inviting scholars from various religions, including Christianity , Hinduism , Jainism , and Zoroastrianism , to engage in discussions.
  • Akbar opposed the involvement of Muslim Ulemas in political affairs.
  • In 1579 , he issued the Infallibility Decree to assert his religious authority.
  • In 1582 , he established a new faith called Din Ilahi or Divine Faith , promoting the belief in one God and incorporating positive elements from various religions.
  • The aim of Din Ilahi was to foster harmony among different religions without endorsing any specific philosophy.
  • Only a few followers, including Birbal , joined this faith, and Akbar did not coerce anyone into converting.
  • However, Din Ilahi largely faded away after Akbar's death.
The document Old NCERT Summary (Satish Chandra): Consolidation of Mughal Empire (Age of Akbar) | History for UPSC CSE is a part of the UPSC Course History for UPSC CSE.
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FAQs on Old NCERT Summary (Satish Chandra): Consolidation of Mughal Empire (Age of Akbar) - History for UPSC CSE

1. Akbar ke raj mein unhone kaun kaun se prashasanik reforms kiye?
Ans.Akbar ne apne raj mein kai prashasanik reforms kiye, jaise ki 'Mansabdari' pratha ka sthapan, jismein sainyik aur prashasak dono ko ek hi rank diya gaya. Iske alawa, unhone revenue system ko sudhara, jisse kisano ko behtar labh mil sake. Akbar ne 'Jizya' kar ko bhi band kiya, jo unke sampradayik samrasta ke prayaas ka praman hai.
2. Akbar ka 'Din-i Ilahi' kya tha aur iska uddeshya kya tha?
Ans.Din-i Ilahi, Akbar dwara sthapit ek dharmik aur sampradayik parivartan tha, jiska uddeshya alag-alag dharmon ke beech samrasta aur ekta ko badhava dena tha. Isme Islam, Hinduism, Jainism aur Christianity ke vicharon ko milaakar ek naya dharmik marg tay kiya gaya. Yah samajik aur dharmik ekta ka prayaas tha.
3. Akbar ne samrajya ki vyavastha ko kaise majboot kiya?
Ans.Akbar ne samrajya ki vyavastha ko majboot karne ke liye sahi samarthan aur vikas ki niti apnayi. Unhone rajya ke har kshetra mein prashasanik vyavastha sthapit ki aur vibhinn pradeshon mein apne rajya ka prabhav badhaya. Unhone sthalniya rajao ko apne rajya mein shamil kiya aur unhe ek prakar ka swatantrata di, jisse unka samarthan prapt hota raha.
4. Akbar ne apne rajya mein sampradayik samrasta kaise banayi?
Ans.Akbar ne sampradayik samrasta banane ke liye alag-alag dharmon ke pratinidhiyon se samvad kiya aur unhe apne rajya mein sammilit kiya. Unhone 'Ibadat Khana' ka nirman kiya, jahan dharmik vichar-vimarsh hota tha. Iske alawa, unhone apne darbar mein Hindu aur Muslim dono dharmon ke logon ko sthal diya, jo sampradayik ekta ka prateek tha.
5. Akbar ke raj ka samrajya kaise badha?
Ans.Akbar ne apne raj ko badhane ke liye samrajya ki suvidhaon ka istemal kiya, jaise ki balidan aur samarthan ki ranneetiyan. Unhone kathor yuddh ke bajay samvad aur samjhauta ka rasta apnaya, jisse unhone bahut se kshetron ko shamil kiya. Unhone apne prashasan aur rajya ki vyavastha ko majboot bana kar apne samrajya ko vistar diya.
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