The Evolution of Classical Music During the Mughal Period (1556–1605 CE): The Context of Subah Bengal

The Mughal period, especially the reign of Emperor Akbar (1556–1605 CE), was a time of creative and aesthetic renaissance in the history of Indian classical music. This paper analyses the continuous development of musical practice during this golden age and its social, cultural, and political impact in the context of Bengal under the Mughal Empire. Akbar's court was a hub for royal patronage of music, where classical music evolved by blending Persian, Turkish, and Indian melodies. However, despite being a subordinate state of the Mughal Empire, Subah Bengal had a distinct musical landscape at that time. Here, political autonomy, regional instability, and the profound influence of Vaishnavism and Sufi movements hindered the institutional development of classical music. Through analyzing historical documents such as the Ain-i-Akbari and the Akbarnama, as well as contemporary musicological sources, this article demonstrates how Bengali music evolved away from opulence centered on the royal court, developing its own identity based on spirituality and folk aesthetics. In conclusion, classical music in the Mughal court symbolised the glory of power, whereas in Bengal it became an exploration of the human psyche, leaving a unique and enduring legacy in South Asian music.