Akbar the Great: Din-i Ilahi, Fatehpur Sikri & Mughal Unification
Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/02. South & Southeast Asian Civilizations/03. South & Southeast Asian Biographies • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
Timeline of Mughal Emperor Akbar (1542-1605), highlighting his birth, military conquests, religious reforms, architectural achievements, and administrative innovations that unified and strengthened the Mughal Empire.
Chronological Storyline (41 Milestones)
Oct 15, 1542 CE
Birth of Akbar at Umerkot
Akbar is born to Humayun and Hamida Banu Begum at the fort of Umerkot (now in Sindh, Pakistan) during Humayun's exile. #history #Mughal
Birth of Akbar at Umerkot By Govardhan / Mir Ali Heravi - https://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/140008579?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=govardhan&pos=4, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78855963
Feb 22, 1555 CE
Humayun Recovers Delhi
Humayun recaptures Delhi from the Suri dynasty, restoring Mughal rule; Akbar accompanies him. #history
Humayun Recovers Delhi By Circa 1550-55 artist - This image has been extracted from another file, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=156992221
Jan 27, 1556 CE
Akbar Ascends the Throne
At age 13, Akbar becomes Mughal emperor after the death of Humayun in a fall; Bairam Khan serves as regent. #history #Mughal
Nov 5, 1556 CE
Second Battle of Panipat
Mughal forces under Akbar and Bairam Khan defeat Hemu, securing control over North India. #history #battle
Second Battle of Panipat By Kankar - National Gallery of Victoria, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40735706
1560 CE
Akbar Dismisses Bairam Khan
Akbar begins independent rule by dismissing regent Bairam Khan, asserting his authority. #history
Akbar Dismisses Bairam Khan By 1590 artist - This image has been extracted from another file, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157414210
1561 CE
Conquest of Malwa
Akbar annexes the Sultanate of Malwa, expanding Mughal territory. #history
Conquest of Malwa By Fielding Lucas, Jr. - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Roland zh using CommonsHelper., CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8042619
1562 CE
Marriage to Jodha Bai (Mariam-uz-Zamani)
Akbar marries Hira Kunwari (Rajput princess) to build alliances; she becomes Mariam-uz-Zamani. #history #marriage
Marriage to Jodha Bai (Mariam-uz-Zamani) By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=923817
1563 CE
Abolition of Pilgrimage Tax
Akbar abolishes the pilgrimage tax on Hindus, promoting religious tolerance. #history #reform
1564 CE
Abolition of Jizya Tax
Akbar removes the jizya tax on non-Muslims, a landmark in religious policy. #history #reform
1565 CE
Construction of Fatehpur Sikri Begins
Akbar starts building Fatehpur Sikri, his new capital, in honor of Sufi saint Salim Chishti. #architecture #history
Construction of Fatehpur Sikri Begins By Marcin Białek - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14741170
1567 CE
Siege of Chittor
Akbar captures Chittor Fort after a long siege, defeating the Sisodia Rajputs. #history #battle )
Siege of Chittor By Composition designed by the Mughal court artist Miskina, with details painted by Bhura for the left side and Sarwan for the right side. - Akbarnama http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O9619/painting-mines-exploding-during-the-siege/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17221944
1569 CE
Birth of Prince Salim (Jahangir)
Akbar's son Salim (later Emperor Jahangir) is born at Fatehpur Sikri, fulfilling the blessing of Salim Chishti. #history
Birth of Prince Salim (Jahangir) By Abu al-Hasan - Bonhams, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17334770
1570 CE
Fatehpur Sikri Becomes Capital
Akbar officially moves his capital to Fatehpur Sikri, which becomes the center of his empire. #history #architecture
1571 CE
Buland Darwaza Built
Akbar builds the Buland Darwaza ('Gate of Victory') at Fatehpur Sikri to commemorate his conquest of Gujarat. #architecture #history
1572 CE
Annexation of Gujarat
Akbar conquers the Gujarat Sultanate, gaining access to Indian Ocean trade routes. #history
Annexation of Gujarat By Charles Joppen - "Historical Atlas of India," by Charles Joppen (London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1907), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9669789
1573 CE
Conquest of Bengal
Akbar annexes Bengal, incorporating the wealthy region into the Mughal Empire. #history
Conquest of Bengal By Greatswrd - Own work derived from the painting, Robert Clive and Mir Jafar after the Battle of Plassey, by Francis Hayman "The fluttering Great Union Flag in contrast to the mangled green & white flag on the ground depict the very different fates of the two camps." - The Heritage Lab: culture, art, museum. In Paintings: the Battle of Plassey - (Archived link here) "The extension of his arms and the inclination of his body is most movingly expressive of doubt, submission and resignation, which is heightened by an Indian officer laying the Subah’s standard at the General’s feet..." - Karen Taylor Fine Art Francis Hayman - General Robert Clive (Archived Link here) "Which is heightened by an Indian officer laying the " Subbah’s standard" - Allen Brian, Francis Hayman, Yale University Press in association with English Heritage (the Iveagh Bequest, Kenwood) and the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, p123, 1987. Robert Clive and Mir Jafar after the Battle of Plassey The Fallen Bengali flag at the Battle of PlasseyThe Fallen Bengali flag at the Battle of Plassey (rotated), CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=193519846
1575 CE
Ibadat Khana Established
Akbar creates the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) at Fatehpur Sikri for interfaith theological debates. #history #religion
Ibadat Khana Established By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2158236
1576 CE
Battle of Haldighati
Mughal forces defeat Maharana Pratap of Mewar, though Pratap escapes; the conflict continues. #history #battle
Battle of Haldighati By Chokha - page 93 of: Milo Cleveland Beach, Rawat Nahar Singh II (2005). Rajasthani Painters. Bagta and Chokha: Master Artists at Devgarh. Artibus Asiae. Supplementum. 46: 2–136, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58229389
1577 CE
Adoption of Din-i Ilahi
Akbar introduces Din-i Ilahi, a syncretic religious cult emphasizing piety and tolerance, though limited followers. #religion #history
Adoption of Din-i Ilahi By Unknown artist - http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/portrait-of-akbar-with-falcon-148505, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66030914
1578 CE
First Battle of Haldighati? (Correction: Date already used) Adjust: Akbar's Conquest of Ka
Mughal forces under Akbar annex the Kashmir Valley, extending his rule into the Himalayas. #history
First Battle of Haldighati? (Correction: Date already used) Adjust: Akbar's Conquest of Ka By TRAJAN 117 - Own work based on: One of six figures from the Mughal emperor's ceremonial procession on the occasion of the Id..jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38346328
1580 CE
Fatehpur Sikri Abandoned
Due to water scarcity and military needs, Akbar moves his capital to Lahore; Fatehpur Sikri is largely abandoned. #history
1581 CE
Akbar's Religious Policy Codified
Akbar issues the Mazhar (declaration) asserting his authority as a just ruler and religious leader. #history #religion
1582 CE
Ilahi Calendar Introduced
Akbar introduces the Solar Hijri calendar, known as the Ilahi calendar, for revenue collection. #history #calendar
1583 CE
Expansion into Sindh
Mughal forces conquer Thatta, completing the annexation of Sindh. #history
Expansion into Sindh By M.irfan44 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43347958
1584 CE
Alliance with Rajputs Strengthened
Akbar forges further Rajput alliances, including with the Kachhwaha clan. #history #politics
Alliance with Rajputs Strengthened By Raja Ravi Varma - Painting by Raja Ravi Varma, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=347246
1585 CE
Conquest of Kabul
Akbar's forces take control of Kabul, securing the northwestern frontier. #history
Conquest of Kabul By Unknown author - https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/05/8e/2676025cb05bf43fc378e2f56402.jpg Gallery: https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/V0050531.html Wellcome Collection gallery (2018-04-06): https://wellcomecollection.org/works/fsvdmv8s CC-BY-4.0, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36674059
1586 CE
Death of Raja Birbal
Akbar's close advisor and one of the Navaratnas, Birbal, dies in a battle against the Yusufzai tribes. #history #Navaratnas
Death of Raja Birbal By Mughal painter - Birbal, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2611239
1587 CE
Conquest of Kashmir (Complete)
Mughal control over Kashmir is fully consolidated after suppressing revolts. #history
1590 CE
Orissa Annexed
Akbar annexes the kingdom of Orissa, extending Mughal rule to the eastern coast. #history
Orissa Annexed By user:Serg!o - India (orthographic projection).svg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8038972
1591 CE
Firman of Religious Tolerance
Akbar again confirms the abolition of jizya and pilgrimage tax, and allows conversion among religions. #history #religion
1592 CE
Conquest of Sindh and Balochistan
Mughal campaigns bring much of Balochistan under imperial control. #history
Conquest of Sindh and Balochistan By JohnGold6000 - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=169423159
1593 CE
Akbar's Visit to Kashmir
Akbar visits Kashmir for the first time, captivated by its beauty; he later makes several trips. #history
1594 CE
Annexation of Qandahar
Mughal forces capture Qandahar (now in Afghanistan) from the Safavids. #history
Annexation of Qandahar By BihnX - https://web.archive.org/web/20161022094613/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/50431116, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53297752
1595 CE
Navaratnas: Nine Gems of Akbar's Court
Akbar's court features the Navaratnas, nine exceptional scholars including Abul Fazl, Faizi, Tansen, and Birbal. #history #culture
1596 CE
Construction of Lahore Fort Expansion
Akbar undertakes major renovations and expansions of the Lahore Fort, including the iconic Alamgiri Gate. #architecture #history
Construction of Lahore Fort Expansion By Rohaan Bhatti - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35115529
1597 CE
Rebellion of Prince Salim
Akbar's son Salim rebels and establishes a rival court in Allahabad, straining relations. #history #politics )
1600 CE
Mughal Expansion in Deccan
Akbar campaigns in the Deccan, annexing parts of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. #history
Mughal Expansion in Deccan By Mr.Hanes - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157566611
1601 CE
Siege of Asirgarh
Akbar captures the fort of Asirgarh, completing the conquest of Khandesh. #history #battle
1602 CE
Abul Fazl Assassinated
Akbar's close friend and biographer Abul Fazl is murdered by Vir Singh Deo, likely with Salim's approval. #history #politics
Abul Fazl Assassinated By Govardhan - Transferred from ru.wikipedia to Commons by The Deceiver using CommonsHelper., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=138487412
1604 CE
Construction of Allahabad Fort
Akbar completes the Allahabad Fort, a massive fortification at the confluence of Ganges and Yamuna. #architecture #history
Construction of Allahabad Fort By Vyomtripathi - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73230634
Oct 27, 1605 CE
Death of Akbar
Emperor Akbar dies in Fatehpur Sikri; his son Salim succeeds as Jahangir. #history #Mughal
