The Last Days and Death of Akbar

The later years of Emperor Akbar, the third ruler of the Mughal Empire, were marked by political strain, familial discord, and declining health. Revered as one of the greatest rulers in Indian history, Akbar’s final days reflected the gradual transformation of an ageing emperor who had once united vast territories of the Indian subcontinent under a single administration. His death in 1605 at Fatehpur Sikri brought an end to nearly half a century of rule that had shaped the foundations of Mughal governance, culture, and religious tolerance.

The Decline of Akbar’s Health

By the early 1600s, Akbar, then in his early sixties, had begun to suffer from deteriorating health. Sources such as Abul Fazl’s Ain-i-Akbari and later historical records note that the emperor faced frequent fevers and digestive ailments, worsened by the heavy administrative pressures of his vast empire. His earlier vigour, seen during the conquests of Gujarat, Bengal, and Kashmir, had declined substantially. Despite the onset of illness, Akbar continued to preside over state affairs and military expeditions through his nobles and governors.
His diet and habits during this period also changed significantly. He reportedly consumed light meals and spent more time in religious reflection and private prayer. His physicians, including Hakim Ali, attempted various treatments derived from Unani medicine, but with little effect. Akbar’s declining strength became a cause of concern at court, and rumours of succession began to circulate among courtiers and princes.

The Question of Succession

One of the most troubling issues during Akbar’s final years was the matter of succession. The emperor’s relationship with his sons had been fraught with conflict and disappointment. His eldest son, Prince Salim, later known as Emperor Jahangir, had repeatedly rebelled against his father’s authority. Salim’s independent establishment of a parallel court at Allahabad in 1599 and his claim to imperial symbols were open acts of defiance.
Akbar initially considered bypassing Salim in favour of his younger sons, Murad or Daniyal, both of whom had shown promise in military campaigns. However, both princes died before him—Murad in 1599 and Daniyal in 1604—reportedly due to alcoholism. With no other legitimate heirs of mature age, Akbar reluctantly accepted Salim as his successor.
Towards the end, Akbar attempted to reconcile with Salim. He summoned him to Agra, where after much persuasion and the mediation of courtiers like Mirza Aziz Koka, father and son were reunited. However, the trust between them remained fragile.

Political Atmosphere and Court Intrigue

The final phase of Akbar’s reign witnessed heightened tension among the nobility. Factions had formed around Prince Salim and other members of the royal household. Abul Fazl, Akbar’s close confidant and biographer, had been murdered in 1602 at the instigation of Salim’s allies, an event that deeply affected the emperor both personally and politically.
The loss of Abul Fazl deprived Akbar of his most loyal intellectual companion, leaving him increasingly isolated. Meanwhile, some courtiers, including the influential Birbal (earlier killed in battle) and Raja Man Singh, had already departed or fallen from prominence. The empire’s unity, once sustained by Akbar’s personal authority, now rested precariously on the loyalty of rival factions.

The Final Illness and Death

In October 1605, Akbar’s condition worsened significantly. Contemporary sources such as the Akbarnama and Jahangir’s memoirs (Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri) record that he developed a severe intestinal disorder, believed by some historians to have been dysentery. He was treated with herbal and mineral medicines, yet his strength rapidly declined.
As his illness intensified, Akbar reportedly called for Prince Salim to be brought to him. Despite past estrangements, he is said to have expressed his desire for Salim to succeed him, urging the continuation of justice and tolerance in governance.
Akbar died on 27 October 1605, at Fatehpur Sikri, the city he had once built as his imperial capital. His body was later taken to Sikandra, near Agra, where a magnificent mausoleum was constructed by Jahangir. The tomb of Akbar remains a fine example of Mughal architecture, blending Persian, Timurid, and Indian design elements.

Mourning and Legacy

Akbar’s death was marked by widespread mourning across the empire. His subjects, both Hindu and Muslim, revered him for his inclusive policies, particularly his Din-i Ilahi, a syncretic spiritual movement that sought to bridge religious divides. The emperor’s reputation for justice, encapsulated in the title “Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad Akbar the Great”, had made him a symbol of imperial integrity.
In the days following his death, Prince Salim ascended the throne as Emperor Jahangir. The transition, though not entirely peaceful, was largely smooth due to Akbar’s explicit designation of Salim as his heir.
Akbar’s funeral rites reflected both Islamic tradition and the syncretic spirit of his reign. His burial at Sikandra was conducted with due ceremony, attended by nobles, scholars, and family members. The tomb complex, built over the next few years, became both a site of pilgrimage and an enduring monument to his vision of unity.

Historical Interpretations of Akbar’s Final Days

Historians have offered varied interpretations of Akbar’s last years. Some see his death as marking the beginning of the Mughal Empire’s gradual shift from expansion to consolidation. Others interpret his declining health and the court intrigues as signs of the immense strain inherent in ruling a diverse and vast empire.
Akbar’s late-life religious and philosophical pursuits—his debates at the Ibadat Khana, and his advocacy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace)—suggest a ruler seeking spiritual fulfilment beyond political achievement. His final days, spent in contemplation and relative solitude, contrasted sharply with the vibrant campaigns and reforms of his earlier reign.

The Significance of Akbar’s Death

The death of Akbar in 1605 was not merely the passing of an emperor but the end of an era of unprecedented innovation in Mughal governance and culture. His administrative systems, land revenue reforms, and policies of religious tolerance continued under his successors, albeit with varying degrees of commitment.
The succession of Jahangir marked a continuation of the Mughal legacy but with a more personal and indulgent style of rule. Akbar’s legacy, however, endured as the defining model of imperial statesmanship in pre-modern India, influencing political thought and historical writing for centuries.