Early Life
Muhammad Akbar was born at Aurangabad in the Deccan to Dilras Banu Begum, Aurangzeb's first wife and chief consort. She was a member of the Safavid dynasty and was the daughter of Mirza Shahnawaz Khan, a minister at the mughal court. She died when Akbar was only one month old. For this reason, Akbar was brought up with special care and affection by his father. He was his father's favourite and most-loved son as Aurangzeb, himself, said in a letter to him, "God be my witness that I have loved you more than my other sons."
At the age of 15, Akbar was wed to a granddaughter of his paternal uncle, Dara Shikoh, who had been killed at Aurangzeb's behest. Salima begum was the daughter of Sulaiman Shikoh, eldest son of Dara Shikoh. Later, Akbar also married a daughter of an Assamese nobleman. He was the father of two sons and two daughters, including Nikusiyar, who briefly became mughal emperor in 1719.
Like other Mughal princes, Muhammad Akbar administered various provinces and fought minor campaigns under the guidance of experienced officers. His first independent command was during Aurangzeb’s war of the Jodhpur succession.
Read more about this topic: Sultan Muhammad Akbar
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