The Mughal Empire under Akbar 1605

Abu’l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, known as Akbar or sometimes Akbar the Great, was the third Mughal emperor. In 1556, following the death of his father in an accident Akbar came to the throne under a regent, Bairan Khan, a loyal mentor to the young emperor and a trusted ally, who helped to expand and consolidate the Mughal domains. The regency ended in 1560 with Akbar assuming full power. His empire would eventually extend over all of north-central India, as far south as the Godavari river and as far north as Afghanistan and Central Asia. The sheer size, wealth and population of the Mughal Empire meant that its influence extended over almost all of the subcontinent. Akbar established a centralized system of administration throughout the empire, and pursued a policy of conciliation and diplomacy with recently incorporated states and rulers through marriage agreements. This created peace and order in a culturally diverse empire, in which he encouraged loyalty by exploiting his near divine status. Akbar died on or about 27 October 1605 after an attack of dysentery; during his reign the nature of the state evolved into a secular and inclusive liberal society with an emphasis on cultural integration.