Mughal Conquest of Bengal

Akbar had now defeated most of the Afghan remnants in India. The only centre of Afghan power was now in Bengal, where Sulaiman Khan Karrani, an Afghan chieftain whose family had served under Sher Shah Suri, was reigning in power. The first significant step towards the conquest was taken in 1574 when Akbar dispatched his army to subdue the Afghan chieftains ruling over Bengal. The decisive battle took place at Tukaroi in 1575, where the Mughal forces emerged victorious, laying the foundation for Mughal rule in the region. Subsequent military campaigns further strengthened Mughal control, culminating in the Battle of Rajmahal in 1576, which decisively defeated the Bengal Sultanate's forces.

Following the military conquest, Akbar implemented administrative reforms to integrate Bengal into the Mughal administrative framework. Land revenue systems were reorganized, and local governance structures were aligned with Mughal practices, ensuring efficient control and extraction of resources. The conquest also facilitated cultural and economic exchanges, enriching the Mughal Empire's cultural tapestry and boosting its economy.

The Mughal conquest of Bengal significantly impacted the region's history, ushering in a period of stability, prosperity, and architectural development under Mughal patronage. It established a lasting legacy that influenced the region's socio-economic and cultural landscape well beyond Akbar's reign.