Step into the dazzling halls of the Mughal Empire, where emperors wore silk robes, queens ruled the zenana, and royal children shaped the future of India. This is not just a family tree — it’s a story of courage, heartbreak, and powerful women and men who helped build an empire.
Table of Contents
Meet Akbar the Great
Full Name: Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar
Born: October 15, 1542 in Umarkot, Sindh (now in Pakistan)
Ruled: 1556–1605
Died: October 27, 1605, in Agra, India
Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, is often remembered for his military conquests and architectural wonders. But beyond the battlefield and palace walls, he was also a son, husband, and father. His family life offers a deeper window into his character and the era he lived in.
To better understand Akbar’s world, let’s look at the people who shaped his daily life: his wives, children, and court.
But first, when did it all happen?
Timeline of Major Events in Akbar’s Family
Understanding when things happened helps connect names to their historical context. Here’s a quick timeline:
- 1542 – Akbar is born in Umarkot
- 1562–1580s – He marries several women to form strategic alliances
- 1564 – Hassan and Hussain Mirza, his twin sons, are born and pass away in infancy
- 1569 – Salim (later Jahangir) is born
- 1570s–1580s – Several daughters, including Aram Banu and Shakr-un-Nissa, are born
- 1605 – Akbar dies, and Salim becomes Emperor Jahangir
Now that you’ve seen the big events in Akbar’s family life, you might be wondering — who were all these people behind the scenes? Who raised his children, supported his rule, and shaped palace life?
That brings us to some of the most important figures in the Mughal court — the Begums.
What is a Begum?
A Begum was more than just a wife of an emperor. In the Mughal court, the title indicated nobility, power, and influence. Begums often played active roles in courtly affairs, managed finances, and raised future rulers.
Fun Fact: Mariam-uz-Zamani, Akbar’s Hindu wife, owned trading ships that sailed to the Middle East!
The women in Akbar’s life weren’t hidden behind curtains — they were part of his court, culture, and legacy. But why did he marry so many?
Why Did Akbar Marry So Many Women?
In Akbar’s time, royal marriages were strategic. Each union was a bridge between empires and a promise of peace. Marrying Rajput princesses, for instance, helped Akbar build trust with regional kings, reducing rebellion and uniting his empire.
This web of alliances strengthened and stabilized his rule. But these marriages also shaped a unique cultural environment inside the palace, one rich with diversity.
What Was Mughal Court Life Like?
Palace life was anything but ordinary. Picture rooms with silken carpets, scent of rosewater, and poets reciting under moonlight. The zenana, or women’s quarters, was filled with laughter, learning, and leadership.
While Akbar ruled from Agra or Fatehpur Sikri, his family lived here, where Begums taught languages, supervised palace affairs, and helped guide imperial decisions. Let’s now meet the people who made up this vibrant household.
Akbar’s Family Tree
Wives of Akbar: Women of Wisdom, Power, and Politics
Akbar’s marriages were shaped by diplomacy and devotion. His wives came from across faiths and regions, each adding strength to the empire in her own way.
1. Ruqaiya Sultan Begum
- His first wife and cousin
- Married at age 9
- Had no biological children but raised Salim (Jahangir)
- Deeply respected, she remained close to Akbar all his life
2. Salima Sultan Begum
- Poet, scholar, and widow of Bairam Khan
- Married Akbar and became a prominent court figure
- A woman of intellect and quiet political influence
3. Mariam-uz-Zamani (Harka Bai/Jodha Bai)
- A Rajput princess of Amber
- Gave birth to Prince Salim
- Managed trade, owned ships, and built temples
- Symbol of the Hindu-Muslim alliance
Other Rajput and Noble Consorts
Akbar’s harem included strategic marriages with princesses from Malwa, Kashmir, Gujarat, and more, strengthening alliances across India.
Children of Akbar: Princes and Princesses of the Empire
Akbar had five sons and several daughters. Their lives shaped the empire’s future through glory, rebellion, heartbreak, and legacy.
Who Were The Five Sons of Akbar?
1. Prince Hassan Mirza
- Born in 1564, one of Akbar’s twin sons
- Died in infancy
- His birth was greeted with celebration; his death brought deep sorrow
- Akbar’s first experience of losing a child
2. Prince Hussain Mirza
- Twin brother of Hassan
- Also died in infancy
- Their deaths deeply affected Akbar, leading him to seek spiritual counsel
- Their memory remained sacred within the royal household
3. Prince Salim (Jahangir) (1569–1627)
- Born to Mariam-uz-Zamani
- Rebelled against Akbar in youth
- Eventually reconciled and became emperor after Akbar’s death
- Father of Shah Jahan (builder of the Taj Mahal)
4. Prince Murad Mirza (1570–1599)
- Son of a concubine
- Brave in battle, led Gujarat campaigns
- Struggled with alcoholism
- Died at 29, mourned deeply by Akbar
5. Prince Daniyal Mirza (1572–1605)
- Known for artistic talent and diplomacy
- Governor of Allahabad
- Like Murad, suffered from addiction
- Died the same year as Akbar — a devastating loss
Who Were The Daughters of Akbar?
While less is documented about his daughters, many held lands, managed estates, and were trusted advisors within the palace.
1. Aram Banu Begum
- Likely born around 1584
- Raised by Ruqaiya Begum
- Never married, remained influential in court during Jahangir’s reign
- Highly educated and respected
2. Shakr-un-Nissa Begum
- Married Prince Muzaffar Husain Mirza (Babur’s grandson)
- Played a role in maintaining dynastic unity
3. Khanum Sultan Begum
- Possibly married into nobility
- Managed domestic and political responsibilities quietly
4. Mehrunnisa Begum
- Not to be confused with Empress Nur Jahan
- Mentioned in records, possibly engaged in spiritual or literary pursuits
Akbar’s daughters were trained in Persian literature, music, religious studies, and courtly etiquette. Some remained unmarried — not due to neglect but because they were considered too exalted for political marriage.
Activities to Bring History Alive
Make Mughal history memorable with hands-on learning:
- Draw the Family Tree using different colors for sons, daughters, and wives
- Reenact a royal court scene — Akbar discussing politics with his Begums
- Create a zenana corner using cloth, incense, and music
- Play a Mughal Mystery Game: “Guess who I am — I was raised by Ruqaiya but not born to her.”
- Build a map of Mughal India with major cities marked
Discussion Questions to Ask Your Kids
- What do you think it felt like to grow up in a palace?
- If you were Akbar, would you marry for peace?
- How do you think daughters felt knowing their stories weren’t recorded as much?
- What would you do if you were Salim and your dad didn’t trust you?
- Which part of court life would you like most — poetry, politics, or painting?
These questions encourage empathy, curiosity, and imagination — everything that makes history come alive.
Map and Visual Aids
Help kids place events on a map:
- Mark Umarkot (Akbar’s birthplace), Amer (Jodha Bai’s home), and Agra and Fatehpur Sikri (Mughal capitals)
- Create a timeline poster to track key events from Akbar’s birth to Jahangir’s rule
These tools make Mughal history feel real, not just something in a book.
FAQ – What Kids Might Ask
Q: Why didn’t Akbar choose Murad or Daniyal as emperor?
A: Sadly, both passed away before him. Salim became emperor by default, and drama followed.
Q: What did the princesses do all day?
A: They studied, painted, wrote poetry, and even managed parts of the empire.
Q: Why weren’t daughters written about as much?
A: Back then, men’s lives were often seen as more important. But we now know better.
Q: Could girls become rulers in Mughal times?
A: Rarely officially, but some — like Nur Jahan — had real power and shaped policy.
Want to Explore More?
Learn about Akbar’s famous grandson in Shah Jahan’s Family Tree — the emperor who built the Taj Mahal.
