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History isn’t very liberal at bestowing the title of “great”. But once in a while, some people do enough to deserve it.
Coronated on 14th Feb 1556
When the dust from the second battle of Panipat finally settled down, an adolescent became the emperor of India in 1556. Son of a dethroned Sultan, he went on to rule one of the most vibrant and formidable land-based empires of the world.
The compassionate heart of his majesty finds no pleasure in cruelties or in causing sorrow to others; he is ever sparing of the lives of his subjects, wishing to bestow happiness upon all
From the Ain-i-Akbari, Abul Fazl
Today marks Mughal emperor Akbar's coronation- a brilliant administrator, a great patron of arts and, a skilful military leader whose reign is celebrated by many as the epoch of social stability and prosperity. Not being literate did not stop him from being great. Akbar’s policies like the abolition of “Jizya” or pilgrimage tax, establishing the Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri where religious teachers from various faiths engaged in discussions, forming close alliances with Rajput lineages and his overall religious tolerance has made him the beloved of all.
Akbar’s accession to Delhi's throne was not the usual instance of the son succeeding his father, and it was a rather improbable culmination of a long-drawn series of events.
Akbar’s accession to Delhi's throne was not the usual instance of the son succeeding his father, and it was a rather improbable culmination of a long-drawn series of events. After the sudden demise of Humayun, revolts erupted all over the empire. Local rulers, powerful ministers and military commanders declared independence in the absence of a central authority; the threat of disintegration loomed over the Mughal territory. One such minister Hemu, who started his ascend to power as a simple soldier in Sher Shah Suri’s army, made a claim to the throne.
Bairam Khan, Akbar’s guardian and mentor, decided to make him the emperor before confronting the rebel army. It was on his way to Delhi that Akbar’s coronation took place at Kalanaur, a town in Gurdaspur district of modern day Punjab. Takht-i-Akbari, the platform on which the coronation ceremony was performed exists, to this day, albeit in a dilapidated condition.
The Mughal army came face to face with the rebel forces in the decisive battle of Panipat. Just when Hemu’s camp was sure to emerge victorious due to their greater numerical strength, an arrow hit him. This arrow took Hemu down along with his dream to rule India.
With Hemu’s defeat, Akbar emerged as the unchallenged and ultimate sovereign of the Delhi Sultanate and went on to rule for almost 50 years.
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