Akbar the Great Family Tree: The Story Behind The Mughal Empire's Greatest Emperor

Abu'l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, born 15 October 1542 in Umarkot Fort, Sindh (now in Pakistan), was the third Mughal Emperor (1556–1605) — expanded the empire to cover most of the Indian subcontinent; established religious-tolerance policies including the syncretic Din-i Ilahi; built Fatehpur Sikri as his capital. He died 27 October 1605 at Fatehpur Sikri, age 63.

The Family's Roots: The Mughal Timurid-Genghisid Dynasty

The Mughal family traced descent from both Timur (Tamerlane) on the paternal side and Genghis Khan through Babur's maternal line — making them claimants to both Central Asian dynasties.

His Parents

Father: Nasir-ud-din Muhammad Humayun (1508–1556) — second Mughal Emperor; lost the empire to Sher Shah Suri in 1540; lived in Persian exile; regained Delhi in 1555; died in 1556 by falling down the stairs of his library, after just 6 months of restored rule.

Mother: Hamida Banu Begum Maryam Makani (c. 1527–1604) — Humayun's chief wife; daughter of Mir Baba Dost of the Jami family; gave birth to Akbar at Umarkot during Humayun's flight to Persia.

His Regent and Guardian

Bairam Khan (1501–1561) — Turkish-Persian general; Humayun's trusted commander; regent for the young Akbar from 1556 to 1560; assassinated by Afghans in Gujarat in 1561; Akbar later took Bairam's widow (Salima Sultan Begum) into his harem and raised Bairam's son Abdul Rahim as his own.

His Wives

Akbar had multiple wives as per Mughal records (the number varies between sources from 5 main wives to 40 in total).

Notable wives:

  • Ruqaiya Sultan Begum (1542–1626) — Akbar's chief and first wife (married 1551, age 9); cousin from his father's side.
  • Salima Sultan Begum (1539–1612) — Akbar's second wife (married 1561); widow of Bairam Khan.
  • Mariam-uz-Zamani (born Heer Kunwari) (1542–1623) — Rajput princess; daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amer; married Akbar 6 February 1562 in a politically transformative inter-religious marriage; mother of Akbar's heir Jahangir.

His Sons

Hasan and Hussain — twin sons born 1564; both died in infancy.

Mirza Hindal — died in infancy.

Salim (later Jahangir) (1569–1627) — third son; succeeded Akbar as the 4th Mughal Emperor (1605–1627).

Murad Mirza (1570–1599) — died of alcoholism at age 29.

Daniyal Mirza (1572–1605) — died of alcoholism at age 33 in Burhanpur.

His Daughters

Aram Banu Begum (1584–1624) — daughter.

Plus other daughters from various wives.

His Adopted Sons

Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan (1556–1626) — son of Bairam Khan; one of the Navaratnas ("nine jewels") of Akbar's court; major Hindi-Persian poet.

The Mughal Family Tree at a Glance

Family Origins: Mughal Timurid-Genghisid dynasty.

Father: Humayun (1508–1556) — second Mughal Emperor.

Mother: Hamida Banu Begum (c. 1527–1604).

Regent: Bairam Khan (1501–1561).

Notable Wives: Ruqaiya Sultan Begum (1542–1626, chief wife); Salima Sultan Begum (1539–1612); Mariam-uz-Zamani (1542–1623, Jahangir's mother).

Sons: Hasan and Hussain (twins, died in infancy); Mirza Hindal (died in infancy); Jahangir (1569–1627, 4th Mughal Emperor); Murad (1570–1599, alcoholism); Daniyal (1572–1605, alcoholism).

Adopted Son: Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan (1556–1626) — Navaratna; Hindi-Persian poet.

Navaratnas (nine jewels of his court): Birbal, Tansen, Abu'l-Fazl, Faizi, Raja Todar Mal, Raja Man Singh I, Mullah Do-Piyaza, Fakir Aziao-Din, Abdul Rahim.

Akbar the Great:

  • Born 15 October 1542, Umarkot Fort
  • Crowned at age 13 in Kalanaur (Punjab): 14 February 1556, after Humayun's death
  • Second Battle of Panipat (5 November 1556): Bairam Khan defeated Hemu — secured the empire for Akbar
  • Ended regency; took personal power 1560
  • Mansabdari system: organised military and administrative hierarchy
  • Abolished jizya tax on non-Muslims: 1564
  • Married Rajput princess Mariam-uz-Zamani (1562) — formed alliances with Rajput kingdoms (Amer, Marwar)
  • Conquests: Malwa (1561), Chittor (1568), Gujarat (1572), Bengal (1576), Kabul (1581), Kashmir (1586), Sindh (1591), Berar (1596), parts of Khandesh and Deccan
  • Built Fatehpur Sikri (1571–85) — capital city; later abandoned due to water shortage
  • Ain-i-Akbari and Akbarnama by Abu'l-Fazl — official chronicles
  • Din-i Ilahi ("Divine Faith"): syncretic religion combining elements of Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Sikhism (1582)
  • Died 27 October 1605, Fatehpur Sikri, age 63 (likely dysentery)

What the Mughal Family Story Teaches Us

A father who lost his empire and then regained it just before he died. A mother who delivered Akbar in flight to Persia. A regent who effectively raised him from 13 to 18. Multiple wives across politically calculated marriages, including a Rajput princess. Three sons who reached adulthood — one became Emperor, two died of alcoholism. An adopted son who became one of his court's "nine jewels."

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Akbar story carries the same lesson. Some families integrate former enemies into the household. Akbar's marriage to a Rajput princess Mariam-uz-Zamani is on the Mughal family record alongside every military victory — and it produced his heir. Write down which marriages were made for peace.

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