About Akbar and his Children
Akbar's childhood name was Abu’l-Fath Jalal ud-din Muhammad and his parents were Humayun and Hamida Banu Begum. Akbar's birth date was 1542. He was born when his presents were banished. Akbar wasn’t interested in reading and writing and never learned to write and read during his childhood. However, that didn’t lessen his desire for knowledge.
Akbar grew up at his paternal uncles’ house. He became king at the tender age of only 13 when his father died. At that time, Bairam Khan was with Akbar, and Bairam turned into the Regent because Akbar was very young. During the growing years of Akbar, he learned the method of hunting and fighting utilizing various weapons.
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Religious Policies that Akbar had
Akbar was organized and shrewd though he was a young king. He always despised ministers who were too ambitious and were hunting to take his position. It was Akbar who removed every restriction on religions. And so, during his tenure as a king, people were permitted to practice religions according to their choices. Akbar abolished pilgrimage and Jizya taxes that the non-Muslims were required to pay, and he was pretty fair towards his people.
The Diplomacy of Akbar
Akbar happened to be the supreme governor, and he retained ultimate legislative, judicial, and administrative power. He was assisted by many ministers, like Vakil, Diwan, Sadar-i-sadur, Mir Bakshi, Muhtasib, and Daroga-i-Dak Chowki. They were all appointed for overseeing ideal enforcement of law besides the postal department.
How Many Sons Did Akbar Have?
No one knows exactly how many children did Akbar have or how many sons of Akbar had as some of them died when they were infants only. Among his children, only Jehangir had a long life, and he was followed by Murad and Danial. It is said that Shaikh Salim Chisti blessed Akbar that he would father three sons because Akbar used to remain bothered and tense as he didn’t have any heir to his huge empire.
Who were Akbar’s Children?
Akbar children who survived till adulthood are:
Salim (1569 to 1627) – Salim was the 4th and eldest surviving child who was born on the 30th of August 1569. He was also the 1st child who was born to Hira Kunwari or Mariam uz Zamani.
Khanum - Khanum was the 5th child of Akbar. He was born 15 days after the birth of Salim. The mother of Khannum was Bibi Salima, but she breathed her last in 1599. And so, Mariam Makhani brought him up.
Murad (1570 to 1599) – Murad was the 6th child of Akbar.
Daniyal (1572 to 1604) – Daniyal was the 3rd son of Akbar. He was given to Mariam-uz-Zamani for being raised by Akbar.
Shakrunissa (1571-1653) – This Badshah daughter's name was Shakrunissa. She was the 10th child of Akbar. She was born to Akbar and Bibi Daulat Shad. Jehangir loved her very much.
Firoze Khannum – Firoze was the 12th child of Akbar. She didn’t marry and stayed with Jehangir until she died.
Sultan Banu Begum – Sultan Banu Begum was the 13th child of Akbar, and she was married to Mirza Ibrahim Hussain’s son.
Aram Bano ( 1584-1624) – She was the 14th child of Akbar.
Akbar Kids Who Died Young
Fatima Begum – She was the eldest child who was born to Ruqaiah, and she died in the womb only at the seventh month.
Hassan – (1564) (Twins) – He was the son of Akbar and Bibi Aram Baksh and died when he was an infant.
Hussain – (1564) (Twins) - Hussain was the 3rd son, and he too died as an infant.
Meeti Begum (1571) – She was the 7th child and died as an infant.
Khusrau Mirza – Khusrau Mirza was the 11th child of Akbar, and she was the daughter of Akbar and Raj Kunwari. She, too, died as an infant only.
Mahi Begum (1571) She was the 8th child and died in infancy.
Some Facts About Akbar II
The nineteenth Mughal emperor of India was Akbar II, also known as Akbar Shah II. In 1806 he became emperor and reigned until 1837. His father was Shah Alam II.
As Britain's influence grew in India through the East India Company, Akbar had little de facto power. His ambassador to Britain was Ram Mohan Roy, who was given the title of Raja by him only. In 1835, the East India Company ceased calling itself Mughal Empire's subject and issued coins in his name under his reign.
The Hindu-Muslim unity festival "Phool Walon Ki Sair" was started by Akbar II. At Mehrauli, he is buried next to the Dargah of Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki.
Thus, this article successfully included all the unknown facts concerning Akbar the great and his children.
FAQs on Akbar The Great
1. How was Akbar the emperor?
Akbar played a huge role in bringing in some social reforms, like permission for widows so that they could remarry. He also abolished child marriage and removed the bans for building Hindu temples. Though Akbar himself was illiterate, he used to remain surrounded by various scholars, like Abul Fazl, Tansen, and Birbal. Akbar was highly interested in music, religion, philosophy, poetry, and painting. His biggest accomplishment lay in architecture. Akbar had a massive collection of manuscripts and books, and he owned many artworks. He built some great structures, such as the Jama Masjid, and it stands tall till today. He also built a palace that he dedicated to his wife, and it is named Hawa Mahal.
2. What is Akbarnama?
The Akbarnama was translated to the Book of Akbar, and it is the official record of Akbar’s reign. This was the autobiography of Akbar that he commissioned. It is written by Abu’l-Fazl ibn Mubarak, the court biographer, and historian. Akbarnama was written in Persian. If you see the 1st volume of Akbarnama, you will find Akbar's birth. Besides the birth date of Akbar, you will also see Timur’s family history and Babur, Humayun, and Suri Sultans’ reigns. The second volume of Akbarnama deals with Akbar’s reigns till the year 1602, and it also recorded the events that happened during the reign of Akbar. It also described how Akbar and Bairam Khan emerged as the winners of the Battle of Panipat.
3. How did Akbar encourage culture and architecture?
Akbar commissioned the build-up of many mausoleums and forts during his reign. He also formed a separate architectural style that the connoisseurs labeled as Mughal architecture. Amongst several architectural marvels that Akbar commissioned during his rule are Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, Lahore Fort, Ajmer Fort, and Allahabad Fort. Akbar was known as a huge patron of culture and art. He always respected intellectual discourse, and so, he proposed his patronage to many extraordinarily talented individuals whom he did invite to his court. These people were called Nine Gems of Navratnas. They were Faizi, Abul Fazel, Birbal, Tansen, Abdul Rahim Khan-I Khana, Raja Man Singh, Mullah Do Piazza, Fakir Aziao-Din, and Raja Todar Mal.