Ira Mukhoty - Akbar: The Great Mughal

AKBAR

Also by Ira Mukhoty

Daughters of the Sun: Empresses, Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire Heroines: Powerful Indian Women of Myth and History

ALEPH BOOK COMPANY

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promoted by Rupa Publications India

First published in India in 2020

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Copyright Ira Mukhoty 2020

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ISBN: 978-93-89836-04-2

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For Mohit

CONTENTS

CAST OF CHARACTERS

MUGHAL FOREBEARS

Chenghiz Khan (11621227): Also known as Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in the world.

Timur (13361405): Also known as Tamarlane, Timur-i Lang (Timur the Lame). Founder of the Timurid Empire in and around Central Asia. He was the great-great-great-grandfather of Babur.

THE MUGHALS

Babur (14831530): Founder and first Padshah of the Mughal Empire, Akbars grandfather. A direct descendant of Timur.

Bairam Khan (15011561): Persian nobleman from the time of Humayun. Was wakil-e-saltanat and khankhanan during Akbars reign. Talented general who worked tirelessly to protect the empire when Akbar became Padshah at the age of thirteen. As Akbar began to take more interest in the running of his empire, he began to chafe under Bairam Khans guardianship and had him dismissed in 1560. He was assassinated en route to Mecca.

Munim Khan (d. 1575): Chaghatai nobleman from the time of Humayun. Ataliq of Akbar. Influential after the defeat of Bairam Khan, and was made khankhanan for a while. Defeated Daud Khan Afghan, and later died in Bengal.

Humayun (15081556): Son of Babur, second of the Great Mughals of India, Akbars father. Had to fight his three brothers, Kamran, Askari, and Hindal, as well as Sher Shah Sur, when he became Padshah of Hindustan. Lost the empire inherited from Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, and went into exile to Persia. Eventually reclaimed India but died within six months of returning to power, falling down the stairs of his library.

Bega Begum (15111582): Senior wife of Humayun, known as Haji Begum after she completed the hajj. Remained in Delhi after the death of Humayun and supervised the building of Humayuns tomb.

Gulbadan (15231603): Daughter of Babur and sister of Humayun. Accompanied Akbar to Hindustan and lived a long and adventurous life, performing a women-only hajj that lasted seven years. Greatly loved and admired by Akbar. Was asked by Akbar to write an account of her brothers life. This account was the first one by a Mughal woman and gave an unprecedented look into the Mughal harem.

Hamida Banu Begum (15271604): Persian wife of Humayun and mother of Akbar. Very influential, especially once Akbar became Padshah at the age of thirteen. Was given the title Maryam Makani.

Maham Anaga (d. 1562): Akbars milk mother, Adham Khans mother. Participated in the fall from power of Bairam Khan. Was considered effective ruler of Hindustan between 1560 and her death in 1562.

Adham Khan (15311562): Milk brother of Akbar, son of Maham Anaga. Resented the curtailing of his powers by Akbar. Was killed on Akbars orders for having murdered Shamsuddin Ataka Khan.

Salima Sultan Begum (15391612): Granddaughter of Babur and wife of Bairam Khan. Akbar married her after Bairam Khan was killed. Influential, erudite, and a keen collector of books. Greatly respected by her stepson Salim.

Mirza Muhammad Hakim (15531585): Son of Humayun and Mahchuchak Begum, half-brother of Akbar. Held the appanage of Kabul. Tried to declare himself the legitimate Timurid heir of Humayun in the 1580s, with the support of the rebellious Uzbeks. Positioned himself as an orthodox Sunni ruler as opposed to Akbars eclectic religious views. Was defeated by Akbar in 1582 and died of alcoholism in 1585.

Shamsuddin Muhammad Ataka Khan Ghaznavi (d. 1562): Foster father of Akbar and husband of Jiji Anaga. Held the high post of khankhanan. Part of the large Ataka Khail. Became powerful after the fall of Bairam Khan. Was murdered by Adham Khan.

Jiji Anaga (d. 1600): Milk mother of Akbar, mother of Aziz Koka, wife of Shamsuddin Ataka. Her large and influential family were collectively known as the Ataka Khail.

Mirza Aziz Koka (15421624): Milk brother of Akbar, titled khan azam or azam khan. Favourite of Akbars due to the Padshahs love for his mother, Jiji Anaga. An orthodox Muslim man, initially critical of Akbars religious policies. Went to Mecca because he was angry with Akbar but returned chastised and became a disciple of Akbars sulh kul. Survived into Jahangirs reign.

Abdur Rahim (15561627): Son of Bairam Khan and his Mewati wife. Distinguished courtier and khankhanan at Akbars court, ataliq to Salim, accomplished poet, and a great patron of poetry and literature. Was sent to the Deccan on campaigns with Murad, then Daniyal. Akbar gave him the title Mirza Khan.

Salim (15691627): Akbars eldest son, called Shaikhu Baba by his father. Initially the chosen heir, and favoured by Akbar. Always had the support of the powerful women of the Mughal harem such as Salima Sultan Begum, Hamida Banu, and Gulbadan. Gradually started gathering his own coterie of disaffected noblemen as Akbar began favouring his other sons and grandsons. Rebelled in 1600 and set up an independent court at Allahabad. Forgiven by Akbar, he became Padshah Jahangir upon the death of his father in 1605.

Murad (15701599): Akbars son. Sent to the Deccan to subdue Ahmadnagar. Died of alcoholism.