Mirza Muhammad Akbar (11 September 1657 – 31 March 1706)[2] was a Mughal prince and the fourth son of Emperor Aurangzeb and his chief consort Dilras Banu Begum.

[3] Muhammad Akbar was born on 11 September 1657 in Aurangabad to Prince Muhiuddin (known as 'Aurangzeb' upon his accession) and his first wife and chief consort Dilras Banu Begum.

Like other Mughal princes, Muhammad Akbar administered various provinces and fought minor campaigns under the guidance of experienced officers.

After effectively annexing the largest Hindu state in northern India, Aurangzeb reimposed the jaziya tax on its non-Muslim population on 2 April 1679, almost a century after it had been abolished by emperor Akbar.

Raj Singh I withdrew his army to the western portion of his kingdom, marked by the rugged Aravalli Hills and secured by numerous hill-forts, triggering the Rajput rebellion.

However, their artillery lost its effectiveness while being dragged around the rugged hills and both Azam Shah and Mirza Muhammad Muaazzam were defeated by the Rajputs and retreated.

They also reminded him that the open bigotry displayed by Aurangzeb in reimposing jaziya and demolishing temples was contrary to the wise policies of his ancestors.

According to Bhimsen, he is also supposed to have written to his father: On the Hindu community [firqa] two calamities have descended, the exaction of Jizya in the towns and the oppression of the enemy in the countryside.

Aurangzeb however resorted to threats and treachery: he sent a letter to Tahawwur Khan promising to pardon him but also threatening to have his family publicly dishonored by camp ruffians if he refused to submit.

Muhammad Akbar avoided the near-certain prospect of war and defeat to his father by hastily departing the camp with a few close followers.

Muhammad Akbar stayed with Sambhaji for five years, hoping to be lent men and money to seize the Mughal throne.

Muhammad Akbar was said to pray daily for the early death of his father, hoping that would give him another chance to seize the Mughal throne for himself.

In the words of Sir Jadunath Sarkar: The rebellion of Prince Akbar, though it was fostered by the Rajputs and originated, grew to fullness, and expired in Northern India, changed the history of the Deccan and hastened the fate of the Mughal Empire as well.