At what age was Mughal emperor Akbar when he became the emperor after the death of his father Humayun in 1556.

Introduction / Context:
Akbar is remembered as one of the greatest Mughal emperors, but he came to the throne at a very young age. Understanding his age at accession helps students appreciate the challenges he faced and the role of regents and trusted generals in the early years of his reign. This question therefore connects biography with political history by asking how old Akbar was when he became emperor after Humayun death in 1556.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The ruler is Akbar, son of Humayun. • Humayun died in 1556. • Akbar succeeded him as emperor in the same year. • The question asks for Akbar age at accession.

Concept / Approach:
Standard historical accounts state that Akbar was born in 1542 and became emperor in 1556. Subtracting these years gives an age of around 14, but historians generally state that he was about 13 years old at the time of accession. The difference arises because of exact birth dates and months. For exam purposes, 13 is the widely accepted and commonly tested age. Therefore, we should select 13 from the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Akbar was born in the year 1542 at Amarkot. Step 2: Note that his father Humayun died in 1556 after a fall on the stairs of his library. Step 3: Akbar was immediately proclaimed emperor in 1556. Step 4: Subtract 1542 from 1556 to estimate his age, which gives roughly 14 years. Step 5: Historical sources and exam patterns usually state his age as about 13 at the time of accession, taking into account exact birth and accession dates. Step 6: From the options, 13 is the accepted correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Textbooks and exam preparation materials consistently mention that Akbar ascended the throne as a boy of about 13. They also describe how Bairam Khan acted as his regent and guided the empire during the early years, including the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556. Other ages such as 16, 19, or 21 would place his birth much earlier than 1542, which conflicts with established dates. Thus, independent verification confirms 13 as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
16: This age does not match the accepted timeline of Akbar life and would require an earlier birth year. 19: This would make Akbar birth year around 1537, which is not supported by historical sources. 10: This would make him younger than documented accounts suggest, and sources do not describe him as only ten at succession. 21: This would be far too old given the known date of birth in 1542 and accession in 1556.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners simply subtract round years and think Akbar was 14, then pick 16 or 19 as guess options because 14 is not offered. Others mix up his age at accession with ages of other rulers or with the age at which he personally took over full control from his regent. To avoid errors, students should memorise the commonly tested phrase that Akbar was about 13 when he became emperor and that Bairam Khan served as his regent in the early years.

Final Answer:
Akbar was about 13 years old when he became emperor after Humayun death in 1556.