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Which territories did Akbar control when he first became emperor?

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Akbar A painting titled *Akbar Hunting* from a folio of *Akbarnama* (“History of Akbar”), late 16th century; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

When Akbar first ascended the throne in 1556 following the death of his father, Humayun, his actual control was quite limited. At the time of his accession, his rule extended over little more than the Punjab region and the area immediately surrounding Delhi.1

Shortly after he became emperor, the situation became even more precarious when Mughal governors lost several important regions, including Delhi itself, to the Hindu minister Hemu. It was only after the Mughal victory at the Second Battle of Panipat in November 1556 that Akbar’s authority was secured and the route to Delhi was reclaimed, allowing for the subsequent consolidation and expansion of the Mughal Empire.21