Mirza Muhammad Hakim, Akbar's half-brother, who rebelled against him in 1581, was the ruler of:

Mirza Muhammad Hakim, the younger half-brother of Akbar and a son of Humayun, was the ruler (governor) of Kabul.

About Mirza Hakim:

• He was born in 1553, the son of Humayun and Mah Chuchak Begum.
• After Humayun's death, he was given Kabul to rule.
• He ruled Kabul as a semi-independent prince, with the support of his own nobles.
• He regarded himself as a rival claimant to the Mughal throne.

His rebellion of 1580-81:

• In 1580, a major revolt broke out in Bengal and Bihar against Akbar, partly due to his religious policies and administrative reforms (such as the branding of horses).
• Some of the rebels and orthodox religious leaders declared Mirza Hakim as their emperor, and had the khutba read in his name.
• Mirza Hakim invaded Punjab in early 1581, hoping to win support.

Akbar's response:

• Akbar marched with a large army to Kabul in 1581.
• Mirza Hakim fled, and Akbar entered Kabul.
• Akbar pardoned him and restored Kabul to him, after he accepted Akbar's authority.
• Akbar placed his sister, Bakhtunnisa Begum, in charge for a while.
• Mirza Hakim died in 1585, and Kabul was then brought under direct Mughal control.

Importance:

• The defeat of Mirza Hakim and the suppression of the eastern revolts strengthened Akbar's position.
• It ended the threat of a rival Timurid claimant.
• After Mirza Hakim's death, Akbar moved his capital to Lahore (1585), to watch over the north-west frontier and the Uzbeks.

Kabul under the Mughals:

• It was an important province, guarding the north-west frontier.
• It remained in Mughal hands until Nadir Shah's invasion in 1739.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Bengal, Gujarat and Kashmir were not ruled by Mirza Hakim.