Last Days of Emperor Akbar
Mughal emperor Akbar passed away at Agra due to dysentery (acute diarrhea), concluding a remarkable reign that lasted forty-nine years. Contemporary historians have documented that the final days of this illustrious monarch were very miserable.
Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, popularly known as Akbar the Great (r: 1556-1605), was born on October 15, 1542, in a Rajput palace at Umerkot, now part of Pakistan. His father, Humayun, was taking refugee there after losing a battle with Sher Shah Suri. Akbar was coronated at Kalanaur in Punjab on February 14, 1556, at the age of thirteen, following his father's accidental death from falling down the stairs of his library.
Akbar propagated the idea of universal tolerance, known as Sulahkul, aiming to unite people in a common bond of peace. He treated all religions with equal respect and abolished the Jizya tax that had been imposed on non-Muslims. His marriages to Hindu princesses and the appointment of Hindus to high-ranking positions in his court further highlighted his inclusive approach. However, his policies drew criticism from some quarters, including the historian Badaoni, who labeled him an enemy of Islam.
Despite being illiterate, Akbar made significant contributions to literature by commissioning scholars to translate revered texts such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Atharva Veda into Persian.
Akbar's twin sons, born in 1564, tragically died in infancy. Desperate for a male heir, he sought the blessings of the Sufi Saint Shaikh Salim Chishti. In honor of the saint, Akbar named his first surviving son Salim. Salim's two brothers, Murad and Daniel, also passed away during Akbar's reign. The assassination of Abul Fazl in 1602 and the death of his mother Mariam Makani in 1604 deepened the emperor's sorrow.
Here is the description of Akbar, as told by his son Salim, who later became emperor Jahangir: "In his august personal appearance he was of middle height, but inclining to be tall; he was of the hue of wheat; his eyes and eyebrows were black, and his complexion rather dark than fair; he was lion-bodied, with a broad chest, and his hands and arms long. On the left side of his nose he had a fleshy mole, very agreeable in appearance, of the size of half a pea. Those skilled in the science of physiognomy considered this mole a sign of great prosperity and exceeding good fortune. His august voice was very loud, and in speaking and explaining had a peculiar richness."
During the fight, Giranbar decisively overpowered Chanchal, and Rantahman was sent to Chanchal's assistance. However, Salim's men started throwing stones at Rantahman. This act infuriated Akbar, who sent his young grandson Khurram (the future Emperor Shah Jahan) to Salim to remind him not to break the rules of the contest. Salim stated that he had never approved of the pelting of stones. Giranbar ultimately defeated Rantahman as well, and both injured elephants fled. At that moment, Khusrau arrived and insulted his father in presence of Akbar.
Saiyad Khan Barha, a prominent nobleman, objected to this, saying that according to the customs of the Chaghatai Tatars, it is not appropriate to put the son of a living elder prince on the throne. This disagreement ignited a division within the royal court, with one faction rallied behind Salim while another supported Khusrau. Salim, who had initially planned to flee, received a timely surge of support when Shaikh Farid Bukhari, known in later years as Murtaza Khan, accompanied by a retinue of the Sayyids of Barha, declared him emperor.
Salim, with Murtaza Khan leading the procession of nobles, proceeded to meet his dying father at the fort. He bowed at Akbar's feet. The emperor opened his eyes one last time, and signed to his attendants to bestow upon Salim the imperial turban, robes, and his own dagger. As the attendants prostrated themselves in homage, Akbar breathed his last.
The day was October 25, 1605. Akbar was sixty-three years old. His remains were laid to rest in the garden of Bihishtabad at Sikandra, Agra.
Raja Man Singh, taking Khusrau under his protection, prepared boats to escape to Bengal. News of this reached the newly crowned emperor Jahangir, who sent an officer with orders to bring Khusrau back, promising his safety. The following day, Man Singh escorted Khusrau back to court. Jahangir greeted him warmly with kindness and affection. This marked the commencement of Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir's reign.
Wikaya-i Asad Beg by Asad Beg
Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, popularly known as Akbar the Great (r: 1556-1605), was born on October 15, 1542, in a Rajput palace at Umerkot, now part of Pakistan. His father, Humayun, was taking refugee there after losing a battle with Sher Shah Suri. Akbar was coronated at Kalanaur in Punjab on February 14, 1556, at the age of thirteen, following his father's accidental death from falling down the stairs of his library.
Akbar propagated the idea of universal tolerance, known as Sulahkul, aiming to unite people in a common bond of peace. He treated all religions with equal respect and abolished the Jizya tax that had been imposed on non-Muslims. His marriages to Hindu princesses and the appointment of Hindus to high-ranking positions in his court further highlighted his inclusive approach. However, his policies drew criticism from some quarters, including the historian Badaoni, who labeled him an enemy of Islam.
Despite being illiterate, Akbar made significant contributions to literature by commissioning scholars to translate revered texts such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Atharva Veda into Persian.
Akbar's twin sons, born in 1564, tragically died in infancy. Desperate for a male heir, he sought the blessings of the Sufi Saint Shaikh Salim Chishti. In honor of the saint, Akbar named his first surviving son Salim. Salim's two brothers, Murad and Daniel, also passed away during Akbar's reign. The assassination of Abul Fazl in 1602 and the death of his mother Mariam Makani in 1604 deepened the emperor's sorrow.
Here is the description of Akbar, as told by his son Salim, who later became emperor Jahangir: "In his august personal appearance he was of middle height, but inclining to be tall; he was of the hue of wheat; his eyes and eyebrows were black, and his complexion rather dark than fair; he was lion-bodied, with a broad chest, and his hands and arms long. On the left side of his nose he had a fleshy mole, very agreeable in appearance, of the size of half a pea. Those skilled in the science of physiognomy considered this mole a sign of great prosperity and exceeding good fortune. His august voice was very loud, and in speaking and explaining had a peculiar richness."
Final Days of Akbar
In September 1605, Akbar became seriously ill. Despite the efforts of his chief physician, Hakim Ali, his condition worsened. This decline was exacerbated by the stress of a dispute between the followers of his son, Salim, and grandson, Khusrau, at an elehant fight. Akbar had favored Khusrau as his successor over Salim. He organized a grand elephant fight between the elephants Chanchal, Khusrau's elephant, and Giranbar, Salim's elephant. A third elephant, Rantahman, stood nearby, ready to assist either combatant if needed.During the fight, Giranbar decisively overpowered Chanchal, and Rantahman was sent to Chanchal's assistance. However, Salim's men started throwing stones at Rantahman. This act infuriated Akbar, who sent his young grandson Khurram (the future Emperor Shah Jahan) to Salim to remind him not to break the rules of the contest. Salim stated that he had never approved of the pelting of stones. Giranbar ultimately defeated Rantahman as well, and both injured elephants fled. At that moment, Khusrau arrived and insulted his father in presence of Akbar.
Last Moments of Akbar
As the emperor neared the end of his life, tensions surrounding the succession remained high. Khan-i-Azam Mirza Aziz Koka, Khusrau's father-in-law, and Raja Man Singh, Khusrau's maternal uncle, gathered the nobles, stating, "The character of the high and mighty prince Salim is well known, and the emperor's feelings towards him are notorious; for he by no means wishes him to be his successor. We must all agree to place prince Khusrau upon the throne."Saiyad Khan Barha, a prominent nobleman, objected to this, saying that according to the customs of the Chaghatai Tatars, it is not appropriate to put the son of a living elder prince on the throne. This disagreement ignited a division within the royal court, with one faction rallied behind Salim while another supported Khusrau. Salim, who had initially planned to flee, received a timely surge of support when Shaikh Farid Bukhari, known in later years as Murtaza Khan, accompanied by a retinue of the Sayyids of Barha, declared him emperor.
Salim, with Murtaza Khan leading the procession of nobles, proceeded to meet his dying father at the fort. He bowed at Akbar's feet. The emperor opened his eyes one last time, and signed to his attendants to bestow upon Salim the imperial turban, robes, and his own dagger. As the attendants prostrated themselves in homage, Akbar breathed his last.
The day was October 25, 1605. Akbar was sixty-three years old. His remains were laid to rest in the garden of Bihishtabad at Sikandra, Agra.
Raja Man Singh, taking Khusrau under his protection, prepared boats to escape to Bengal. News of this reached the newly crowned emperor Jahangir, who sent an officer with orders to bring Khusrau back, promising his safety. The following day, Man Singh escorted Khusrau back to court. Jahangir greeted him warmly with kindness and affection. This marked the commencement of Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir's reign.
Reference
Takmila-i Akbar-nama by InayatullaWikaya-i Asad Beg by Asad Beg
Very well written....
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