In 1581, Akbar was faced with one of the most critical periods of his reign when Mirza Muhammad Hakim, the governor of Kabul, advanced to Lahore. Muhammad Hakim, Akbar’s half brother, was an orthodox and ambitious ruler who was planning to seize the Mughal throne for himself. He was supported in his bid by some discontented officers of the Mughal court such as Khwaja Mansur.
Thereupon Akbar proceeded to Kabul from his capital on 8th February, 1581 with about 50, 000 cavalry, 500 elephants and great number of infantry. He reached Kabul on 9th August and defeated Mirza Muhammad Hakim and compelled him to submit. Hakim, however, was reinstated on vow of loyalty to the emperor. After the death of Muhammad Hakim in July 1586, the province of Kabul was formally annexed to the Mughal Empire.
According to Smith, Akbar’s victory of Kabul “may be regarded as the climax of his career”.
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