In 1551, Akbar, who was then 18 years old, married Jodha Bai, who was 14 years old. The marriage was arranged by Akbar's regent, Bairam Khan, who sought to forge an alliance with the Rajput kingdoms to strengthen the Mughal Empire. Despite their age difference and the fact that Jodha was a Rajput princess, she accepted the marriage proposal, reportedly due to her family's obligations and the promise of a better future for her kingdom.