FAREWELL

Akbar's empire gradually expanded. He ruled over nearly the whole of India and made his empire very strong.

The capital was later shifted to Lahore because Akbar spent a lot of time fighting wars.

He had inherited a small empire, but he made it big and strong.

On 5th November1556, he fought the second Battle of Panipat against Hemu (Hemchandra).

Hemu was a military chief of the Afghan king, Muhammad Adil Shah. He had established himself at Chuncar.

He wanted to expel the Mughals from India. So he marched with his large army towards Delhi.

The armies met and fought at Panipat. Initially, Hemu with his large army of 1500 war elephants had an edge over Akbar's army.

However, in the middle of the battle a stray arrow struck Hemu in the eye. He fell unconscious on the ground.

When the unconscious Hemu was brought before Bairam Khan and Akbar, Bairam Khan asked Akbar to slay the enemy and earn the Islamic holy title of Ghazi.

Akbar then severed the head of the unconscious Hemu. There are certain historians who claim that Akbar just touched the head of Hemu with his sword. He did not kill Hemu himself.

The fall of the leader cause panic in Hemu's army and the wheel of fortune turned. The Mughals won the battle.

Akbar conquere Malwa in 1562, Gujarat in 1572, Bengal in 1574, Kabul in 1581, Kashmir in 1586, and Kandesh in 1601. He did not directly rule these kingdoms but appointed governors.

Akbar made the Mughal Empire bigger and stronger than Babur had made.

In October 1605, Akbar fell ill and died of slow poisoning. He was buried at Sikandara, near Agra.

His grave was made on the terrace because he wanted his grave to be out in the open. But another grave was made in the hall inside the monument.

Salim

Jahangir was known as Prince Salim before he was given this title by his father, Akbar.

Akbar called him Shaikhoo. Jahangir was the eldest son.

Salim was born after a lot of prayers. Akbar walked barefoot to meet the great saint Sheikh Salim Chisti for a son.

Jahangir's mother was from a family of Rajputs but her name was not Jodhabai, as is commonly believed.

The best of education was given to Salim because Akbar himself could not read or write (though he had a great love for learning).

His studies started at the age of 4 years. He was taught Persian, Arabic, Urdu, History, Arithmetic, Geography and the sciences by teachers as great as Abdul Rahim Khan Khanna. who was a renowned scholar and soldier.

As Salim was allowed to do what he wanted, he became very spoilt and started drinking alcohol at a very young age.

Akbar became worried about his future, so he sent Salim away from the pomp and pageantry of the court.

Salim was given duties to make him a responsible man.

For sometime Salim did give up his bad habits and took part in many armed conquests.