also pp. 327, 328); A.
Mueller, II, 417.]
Akbar, the son of the dethroned Emperor Humayun, was born on October
14, 1542, at Amarkot in Sindh, two years after his father had been
deprived of his kingdom by the usurper Sher Chan. After an exile of
fifteen years, or rather after an aimless wandering and flight of that
length, the indolent pleasure-and opium-loving Humayun was again
permitted to return to his capital in 1555,--not through his own merit
but that of his energetic general Bairam Chan, a Turk who in one
decisive battle had overcome the Afghans, at that time in possession
of the dominion. But Humayun was not long to enjoy his regained
throne; half a year later he fell down a stairway in his palace and
died. In January 1556 Akbar, then thirteen years of age, ascended the
throne. Because of his youthful years Bairam Chan assumed the regency
as guardian of the realm or "prince-father" as it is expressed in
Hindi, and guided the wavering ship of state with a strong hand. He
overthrew various insurgents and disposed of them with cold cruelty.
But after a few years he so aroused the illwill of Akbar by deeds of
partiality, selfishness and violence that in March 1560 Akbar, then 17
years of age, decided to take the reins of government into his own
hand.
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