Akbar II
Full Name and Background of Akbar II
Akbar II, born on April 14, 1806, in the heart of Mughal India, was the 17th Emperor of the Mughal Dynasty. His full name was Akbar Shah II, the son of Shah Alam II and the grandson of the renowned Akbar the Great. Akbar II’s reign marked the decline of the Mughal Empire, but his personal life and leadership still remain subjects of considerable interest in the annals of Indian history.

Birth and Death of Akbar II
Birth: 22 April 1760, Delhi, India
Death: 28 September 1837, Delhi, India
After his death, Akbar II was buried near Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi.
Wives of Akbar II
Begum Taj Mahal:
She was Akbar II’s first wife and held a significant position in the Mughal royal family. While the exact date of their marriage is not widely recorded, she was considered his principal and most respected queen.
Gulrukh Begum:
Gulrukh Begum was Akbar II’s second wife and also came from a prominent background, aligning with Mughal traditions.
Note: Apart from these two prominent wives, Akbar II had other women in his royal harem, as was customary in the Mughal dynasty. However, detailed historical records of these women are not available.
Sons:
Bahadur Shah Zafar II
Born: 24 October 1775, Delhi, India
Died: 7 November 1862, Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar)
Details: Bahadur Shah Zafar was the most prominent son of Akbar II. He became the last Mughal emperor and played a significant role in the 1857 Indian Rebellion.
Mirza Jahangir
Born: 1791
Died: 18 July 1821
Details: Mirza Jahangir was Akbar II’s second son. He was rebellious and often clashed with the British, which led to his exile to Allahabad.
Mirza Salim
Born: Date unknown
Died: Date unknown
Details: Little is documented about him, as he did not have a significant role in Mughal history.
Mirza Babur
Born: Date unknown
Died: Date unknown
Details: Like Mirza Salim, not much is known about him in historical records.
Daughters:
Shahzadi Begum
Born: Date unknown
Died: Date unknown
Details: Shahzadi Begum was one of Akbar II’s daughters, but very little is recorded about her life.
Princess Qudsia Begum
Born: Date unknown
Died: Date unknown
Details: She was another daughter of Akbar II, but like many Mughal princesses, her life was not extensively documented in history.
Children of Akbar II
Akbar II had several children, including sons and daughters, but his most famous offspring was:
Bahadur Shah Zafar II (Born: 24 October 1775 – Died: 7 November 1862):
Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last Mughal emperor. He led the 1857 Revolt against British rule, attempting to revive Mughal sovereignty. However, he was defeated and later exiled to Burma (modern-day Myanmar) by the British.

Decline of the Mughal Dynasty
After Akbar II’s death, the Mughal Empire became a mere symbolic power. His son, Bahadur Shah Zafar II, was reduced to a puppet emperor under British dominance. This marked the final phase of the Mughal dynasty’s existence.
Often overshadowed by the towering figure of his illustrious grandfather, Akbar Shah II’s tenure was marked by limited power and an increasing loss of authority over much of the Indian subcontinent. Despite his weakening position, Akbar II is remembered for his attempts to maintain Mughal prestige and for the socio-political environment of his time.
Throughout his reign, Akbar II witnessed the formal decline of the Mughal Empire, which was being supplanted by the growing influence of the British East India Company. Still, he tried to maintain the grandeur of his dynasty, navigating a complex landscape of internal power struggles and external forces that were slowly eroding the Mughal authority.
Akbar II’s Early Life: The Making of a Monarch
Born into a royal family steeped in history, Akbar II’s early life was not one of ease. From a young age, he was exposed to the court politics and turmoil of Mughal India. Unlike many royals who had their paths to the throne paved by their fathers, Akbar II had to contend with the uncertainty that accompanied the Mughal decline.
His formative years were heavily shaped by the loss of his family’s political authority. His father, Shah Alam II, had been under British control since the late 18th century, and Akbar Shah II’s rise to power would similarly come under the shadow of British influence.
In his early adulthood, Akbar II was not yet prepared for the heavy burden of leadership. However, after the death of his father, he ascended the throne in 1806. By then, the Mughal Empire was mostly a symbolic institution, with real power resting in the hands of the British East India Company. This set the stage for a reign that would be marked more by diplomacy and survival rather than triumph.
Reign of Akbar II: A Symbolic Emperor in a Changing India
Akbar II’s reign, which lasted from 1806 to 1837, was a complex and eventful period in the history of India. While the Mughal Empire was in its twilight years, Akbar II faced increasing British encroachment. The East India Company, which had already taken control over significant portions of India, continued to tighten its grip on Indian territories during his reign.
One of the most important events during Akbar II’s reign was his attempts to maintain Mughal authority. Despite the British control over much of India, Akbar II tried to assert his leadership in the few areas that were still nominally under Mughal rule. However, he had little actual power, as the British took control of the military and administration. Nevertheless, he remained an important figure in the eyes of many Indians, who still revered the Mughal lineage.
During his reign, Akbar II faced several rebellions and internal conflicts, including resistance from various Indian princely states and the growing influence of the British military. Despite this, Akbar II focused on maintaining the dignity and heritage of the Mughal Empire. He also worked to keep the nobility loyal to him, though this was increasingly difficult as the British expanded their control.
Though his personal power was limited, Akbar II’s court was still a hub of cultural activity. It was during his time that the famous Mughal painter Raja Ravi Varma made his mark, painting portraits of the royal family and contributing to the cultural legacy of the empire. His reign saw the continuation of the Mughal court’s lavish lifestyle, even though the political significance was waning.
The Political Landscape During Akbar II’s Reign
Under Akbar II’s reign, the Mughal Empire had become little more than a symbolic institution. The true power lay with the British East India Company, which had de facto control over most of India. The Treaty of 1801 had effectively rendered the Mughal emperor a puppet figure, with the British controlling the military and governance. Akbar II was dependent on the British for support, especially after the Second Anglo-Maratha War, which further diminished Mughal control.
However, Akbar II’s reign was not devoid of political developments. He was known for trying to preserve the dignity of his lineage. He continued to receive official diplomatic visits from various rulers, even though the practical influence of the Mughal Empire was vastly diminished. Akbar II was adept at using diplomacy to navigate the treacherous political waters of his time.
One notable event during his rule was the First War of Indian Independence in 1857, which occurred after Akbar II’s death. The seeds of resistance were sown during his reign, as the growing dissatisfaction with British rule became palpable. While Akbar II himself did not directly participate in the rebellion, his descendants were instrumental in the events that would follow.

Descendants of Akbar II: The Legacy of the Mughal Lineage
Akbar II’s descendants are perhaps better remembered than his own reign. His son, Bahadur Shah II, would be the last Mughal emperor of India. Bahadur Shah Zafar, as he was known, was unable to prevent the British from taking full control of India. His reign ended in 1857 when he was exiled to Rangoon after the failed Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Though the Mughal Empire ended with Bahadur Shah Zafar, the legacy of Akbar II’s family continued to shape the social and cultural fabric of India. The descendants of Akbar II maintained an important presence in the cultural history of the subcontinent, with many descendants of the Mughal royal family playing significant roles in art, literature, and politics even in post-colonial India.
Historical Significance and the Decline of the Mughal Empire
Akbar II’s reign serves as a reminder of the decline of the Mughal Empire, and the transition of power from Mughal rulers to the British. Akbar II’s life story is marked by his struggle to hold onto a legacy that had already been eroded by centuries of internal strife and external challenges. While Akbar II’s efforts to maintain Mughal prestige were commendable, his reign is often seen as a period of transition—when India moved from the influence of the Mughals to the domination of the British Empire.
References:
The Mughal Empire: A History of India’s Golden Age by John F. Richards
India Under British Rule by P. J. Marshall
The Decline and Fall of the Mughal Empire by M. Athar Ali
The History of the Mughal Dynasty by Harbans Singh
Bibliography:
Richards, John F. The Mughal Empire: A History of India’s Golden Age. Oxford University Press, 1994.
Marshall, P. J. India Under British Rule. Cambridge University Press, 2001.
Ali, M. Athar. The Decline and Fall of the Mughal Empire. Oxford University Press, 1985.
Singh, Harbans. The History of the Mughal Dynasty. Cambridge University Press, 2009.