Akbar vs. Babur — What's the Difference?
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Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 19, 2024
Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, expanded and consolidated the Mughal Empire in India, while Babur, his grandfather, founded the Mughal Empire by conquering northern India.
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Difference Between Akbar and Babur
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Akbar was the third emperor of the Mughal Empire, ruling from 1556 to 1605, known for his military conquests and administrative reforms. He expanded the empire significantly, incorporating much of the Indian subcontinent under Mughal control. Babur, on the other hand, was the founder of the Mughal Empire, establishing it in 1526 after his victory at the Battle of Panipat. Babur, originally from Central Asia, descended from Timur and Genghis Khan, and brought a mix of Persian, Mongol, and Turkish influences to his new empire.
While Akbar is remembered for his effective governance and promotion of art and culture, Babur is celebrated for his military prowess and the establishment of Mughal rule in India. Akbar's administration focused on creating a centralized government and implementing fair tax policies, whereas Babur's efforts were more oriented toward conquering and consolidating power.
Akbar’s reign saw the flowering of Mughal art, architecture, and literature, with significant contributions to the cultural landscape of India. In contrast, Babur’s legacy includes his autobiographical writings, the Baburnama, which provides detailed insights into his life and the early years of the Mughal Empire.
Comparison Chart
Role
Third Mughal Emperor
Founder of the Mughal Empire
Reign
1556 - 1605
1526 - 1530
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Key Achievement
Expansion and consolidation of the empire
Establishment of Mughal rule in India
Cultural Contribution
Promoted art, culture, and religious tolerance
Baburnama (autobiography) and Persian influences
Administrative Focus
Centralized government and tax reforms
Military conquests and power consolidation
Compare with Definitions
Akbar
Third Mughal emperor.
Akbar ruled the Mughal Empire with an emphasis on cultural integration.
Babur
Founder of the Mughal Empire.
Babur established Mughal rule in India after the Battle of Panipat.
Akbar
Patron of the arts.
Under Akbar, Mughal architecture and painting flourished.
Babur
Introduced Persian culture.
Babur brought Persian art and architecture to India.
Akbar
Known for administrative reforms.
Akbar’s tax policies were considered fair and effective.
Babur
Author of the Baburnama.
Babur’s autobiography provides insights into his reign and conquests.
Akbar
Promoter of religious tolerance.
Akbar encouraged dialogue among different religious communities.
Babur
Conqueror from Central Asia.
Babur descended from Timur and Genghis Khan.
Akbar
Expanded the Mughal Empire.
Akbar’s military campaigns extended Mughal control over much of India.
Babur
Established Mughal governance.
Babur’s early policies laid the foundation for the Mughal administrative system.
Akbar
Abu'l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar (Persian: ابو الفتح جلال الدين محمد اكبر; October 1542– 27 October 1605), popularly known as Akbar the Great, (Persian: اکبر اعظم, romanized: Akbar-i-azam), and also as Akbar I (IPA: [əkbər]), was the third Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1556 to 1605. Akbar succeeded his father, Humayun, under a regent, Bairam Khan, who helped the young emperor expand and consolidate Mughal domains in India.
Babur
Babur (Persian: بابر, romanized: Bābur, lit. 'tiger'; Persian pronunciation: [bɑːbʊr]; 14 February 1483 – 26 December 1530), born Zahīr ud-Dīn Muhammad, was the founder of the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent. He was a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan through his father and mother respectively.
Common Curiosities
Who was Akbar?
Akbar was the third emperor of the Mughal Empire, known for his administrative reforms and cultural patronage.
What were Akbar’s main achievements?
Akbar expanded the empire, promoted religious tolerance, and reformed the administration and tax systems.
What was Babur’s origin?
Babur was from Central Asia, descending from Timur and Genghis Khan.
How did Babur influence Mughal culture?
By introducing Persian art, literature, and architectural styles.
What were Babur’s main achievements?
Babur founded the Mughal Empire and introduced Persian culture to India.
What is Akbar known for in administration?
Creating a centralized government and implementing fair tax policies.
What were the military achievements of Babur?
Conquering northern India and establishing Mughal dominance.
Who was Babur?
Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire, establishing its rule in India after his victory at the Battle of Panipat.
How did Akbar expand the Mughal Empire?
Through military conquests and strategic alliances.
What is the Baburnama?
Baburnama is Babur’s autobiography, detailing his life and conquests.
How did Akbar promote religious tolerance?
By encouraging dialogue and understanding among different religious communities.
What cultural contributions did Akbar make?
Akbar supported the arts, leading to a flourishing of Mughal architecture and painting.
What legacy did Akbar leave?
A legacy of cultural integration, administrative excellence, and a vast, unified empire.
How did Babur establish Mughal rule in India?
By defeating the Delhi Sultanate at the Battle of Panipat in 1526.
What was a key difference in the reigns of Akbar and Babur?
Akbar focused on consolidating and expanding the empire, while Babur concentrated on establishing Mughal rule.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
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Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.