Akbar became the Mughal emperor in 1556 at the young age of thirteen. At first, his regent and tutor Bairam Khan guided him. Soon after his accession, Akbar’s army fought the Second Battle of Panipat against Hemu, the Afghan general. Hemu was defeated and Akbar firmly established the Mughal rule.

Akbar expanded his empire by conquering Malwa, Gondwana and Chittor and built a new capital at Fatehpur Sikri. Important buildings there include the Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid and the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship). He encouraged discussions among scholars of different religions and later introduced Din-i-Ilahi to promote peace and harmony.

Akbar organised an efficient administration. The empire was divided into provinces and smaller parts such as parganas. He treated his subjects with fairness and followed a policy of religious tolerance. His court was famous for the Nine Gems, which included Birbal, Tansen, Raja Todar Mal and others.

In 1576, the Battle of Haldighati was fought between Maharana Pratap of Mewar and Akbar’s forces led by Raja Man Singh. Akbar passed away in 1605 CE and was succeeded by his son Salim (Jahangir). Because of his bravery, statesmanship and justice, Akbar is remembered as the greatest Mughal ruler.

अकबर 1556 में केवल 13 वर्ष की आयु में सम्राट बने। प्रारम्भ में उनके शिक्षक-मार्गदर्शक बैरम खाँ ने शासन संभाला। गद्दी सँभालते ही द्वितीय पानीपत का युद्ध हेमु के विरुद्ध हुआ जिसमें हेमु पराजित हुआ और मुगल शासन मज़बूत हुआ।

अकबर ने मालवा, गोंडवाना, चित्तौड़ आदि पर विजय प्राप्त की और फतेहपुर सीकरी में नई राजधानी बसाई। यहाँ दीवान-ए-आम, दीवान-ए-खास, पांच महल, बुलंद दरवाज़ा, जामा मस्जिद तथा इबादतखाना जैसी इमारतें बनवाईं। इबादतखाने में विभिन्न धर्मों के विद्वानों के साथ चर्चा कर उन्होंने दीन-ए-इलाही नामक विचार प्रस्तुत किया, जिसका उद्देश्य सब धर्मों में सद्भाव बढ़ाना था।

प्रशासन में अकबर कुशल थे। साम्राज्य को प्रान्तों और छोटी इकाइयों जैसे परगनों में बाँटा गया। वे धार्मिक सहिष्णुता के लिए प्रसिद्ध थे। उनके दरबार के नवरत्न – जैसे बीربल, तानसेन, राजा टोडरमल – ज्ञान व कला के लिए जाने जाते हैं।

1576 में हल्दीघाटी का युद्ध मेवाड़ के महाराणा प्रताप और अकबर की सेना (राजा मानसिंह के नेतृत्व में) के बीच लड़ा गया। 1605 ई. में अकबर का निधन हुआ और उनके पुत्र सलीम (जहाँगीर) सम्राट बने। पराक्रम, सुशासन और न्याय के कारण अकबर को मुगलों का महानतम शासक माना जाता है।

1) How did the Second Battle of Panipat end?

Akbar’s army under Bairam Khan defeated Hemu; Hemu was captured after being wounded by an arrow. Mughal rule was secured.

2) Who fought at Haldighati and when?

Maharana Pratap of Mewar and Akbar’s forces led by Raja Man Singh fought in 1576 at Haldighati.

3) What administrative divisions did Akbar use?

The empire was divided into provinces and further into districts and parganas (groups of villages).

4) Name four structures at Fatehpur Sikri.

Ibadat Khana, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Buland Darwaza (also Panch Mahal, Jama Masjid).

5) What was Din-i-Ilahi?

A faith started by Akbar to promote harmony by taking good teachings from different religions.

6) Who were the “Nine Gems”?

Nine wise men in Akbar’s court; e.g., Birbal, Tansen, Raja Todar Mal, Abul Fazl, Faizi, Raja Man Singh etc.

7) At what age did Akbar become king?

At the age of 13.

8) Which regions did Akbar conquer?

Malwa, Gondwana, Chittor and many others.

9) What quality made Akbar popular among his subjects?

Religious tolerance and justice.

10) Who succeeded Akbar?

His son Salim, later known as Jahangir.

1) What happened to Hemu in the Battle of Panipat?

He was wounded in the eye by an arrow and his army was defeated by Akbar’s forces led by Bairam Khan. He was captured and killed.

2) Who fought the Battle of Haldighati and when?

It was fought in 1576 between Maharana Pratap of Mewar and Akbar’s army led by Raja Man Singh.

3) How did Akbar divide his empire?

Into provinces and further into districts and parganas (groups of villages) for better administration.

4) Name some important structures built by Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri.

Ibadat Khana, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and Jama Masjid.

5) What was the Din-i-Ilahi?

A faith initiated by Akbar combining good teachings of different religions to promote peace and unity among his subjects.