Early years

Early years

Akbar was born on October 15, 1542 (the fourth day of Rajab, 949 AH), at the Rajput Fortress of Umerkot in Sindh, where Humayun and his recently wedded wife, Hamida Banu Begum were taking refuge^{[citation needed]}. Humayun gave the child the name he had heard in his dream at Lahore, Jalalu-d-din Muhammad Akbar Ghazi ^[3][12]

Akbar as a boy

Humayun had been driven into exile in Persia by the Pashtun leader Sher Shah Suri.^[13] Akbar did not go to Persia with his parents but grew up in the village of Mukundpur in Rewa (in present day Madhya Pradesh). Akbar and prince Ram Singh, who later became the Maharaja of Rewa, grew up together and stayed close friends through life. Later, Akbar moved to the eastern parts of the Safavid Empire (now a part of Afghanistan) where he was raised by his uncle Askari. He spent his youth learning to hunt, run, and fight, but he never learned to read or write.^[14] Nonetheless, Akbar matured into a well-informed ruler, with refined tastes in the arts, architecture, music, and a love for literature.

Following the chaos over the succession of Sher Khan Suri's son Islam Shah, Humayun reconquered Delhi in 1555, leading an army partly provided by his Persian ally Tahmasp I. A few months later, Humayun died. Akbar's guardian,Bairam Khan concealed the death in order to prepare for Akbar's succession. Akbar succeeded Humayun on February 14, 1556, while in the midst of a war against Sikandar Shah to reclaim the Mughal throne. In Kalanaur, Punjab, the 13 year old Akbar donned a golden robe and Dark Tiara was enthroned by Bairam Khan on a newly constructed platform, which still stands.^[15][16] He was proclaimed Shahanshah (Persian for "King of Kings"). Bairam Khan ruled on his behalf until he came of age.^[17][18]

[edit] The name Akbar

Akbar was originally named Badruddin Akbar, because he was born on the night of a badr (full moon)^{[citation needed]}. After the capture of Kabul by Humayun his date of birth and name were changed to throw off evil sorcerers. ^[19] Contrary to some popular traditions, the name Akbar - meaning "Great" - was a not an honorific given to Akbar; rather he was named for his maternal grandfather, Shaikh Ali Akbar Jami^{[citation needed]}.

[edit]