Deccan Policy of Akbar

Deccan Policy of Akbar

Although Babur and his son Humayun were also interested in the politics of southern India, yet they could not interfere in it due to lack of power, time and resources, whereas the last ruler of Bahmani Kingdom had requested Babur for help in order to maintain his existence. But Babur avoided providing help. Sher Shah Suri also could not get time to take part in the politics of Deccan for want of time, but Akbar had decided from the day of his accession that he would bring the southern states under his suzerainty and when he would find an opportunity.

After conquering northern India, Akbar directed his attention towards the kingdoms of Deccan for the fulfillment of his ambitious schemes. At the outset of the Mughal empire there were seven prominent kingdoms in southern India, viz, Vijainagar, Bijapur, Golkunda, Ahmadnagar, Bidar, Berar, and Khandesh. Later on the kingdoms of Berar and Bidar were annexed by Ahmadnagar and Bijapur respectively. In A.D. 1565 after the battle of Talikota the independence status of Vijainagar also came to an end. All the Muslim kingdoms of Deccan used to quarrel with one another. There was lack of political and military unity among these kingdoms. Hence, these circumstances helped in the fulfillment of the scheme of Deccan conquest of Akbar.

Main points of Akbar’s Deccan Policy

Akbar had already conquered Malwa and Gujarat. The frontiers of both these kingdoms touched the territory of Khandesh and Ahmadnagar, hence Akbar wanted to establish his control over both these kingdoms.
Akbar was the follower of imperialist and expansionist policy, so he did not tolerate the existence of an independent state near his empire and he could be satisfied only after establishing his control over Deccan India.
The Deccan state were very weak from military and political point of view due to their mutual conflicts and wars, hence it was very easy for Akbar to attain victory against these weak and unstable kingdoms.
There was ample of money with the Deccan states which they had been gathering since long. Keeping in view the example of early Muslim rulers, Akbar was confident that his treasury would be filled with the victory over Deccan states and he would became the master of the treasury of Deccan.
Some historians believe that Akbar was a staunch Sunni and he wanted to conquer the Shia kingdoms, viz, Khandesh Golkunda, Ahmadnagar, Bijapur.
Outwardly, Akbar had a feeling of appreciation towards Christianity and he was very king to the priest in the Mughal court, however, he was totally against the colonies of Portugal and wanted to destroy them. The Portuguese were unkind towards the Deccan states for the expansion of their trade, territory and religion. Moreover, they resorted to converting people into Christianity; hence Akbar thought it worthwhile to establish his control over the territory near the sea-coast by overpowering the Portuguese.

Akbar planned a farsighted scheme for the victory of Deccan kingdoms. First of all he sent ambassadors to the countries of the South and asked them to accept his suzerainty without fighting but none except Khandesh responded to it. Hence Akbar had to wage wars against the Deccan kingdoms.

Results of the Deccan Conquest

Akbar achieved tremendous success in his Deccan campaigns. Khandesh, Berar, Ahmadnagar and its adjoining areas were conquered and annexed to the Mughal empire and Prince Daniyal was appointed Governor of Deccan.

The victory of Ahmadnagar and Asirgarh opened the Deccan route and the MUghals established themselves firmly in the South; however, Akbar’s conquest of Deccan was incomplete. Nothing could be done against the rulers of Bijapur and Golkunda and the decline of Ahmadnagar also remained transitory because very soon it gathered power again under the leadership of Malik Amber.

Milan Tomic

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