Akbar

AKBAR

A visionary monarch


Akbar was the son of Humayun and Hamida Begum. His father was a Sunni, while his mother was a Shia. These were rival Muslim sects but Akbar seemed to lean towards the Shia doctrine. This made things difficult as his court had a large number of Sunnis. Akbar's problem was one that exists even today - that of uniting all creeds and races. He wanted to bring into the mainstream not only the Muslim sects but also the Rajputs and other Hindus. His reforms, which were meant to help all sections, included the abolition of sati, child marriage and jizya (a tax imposed on Hindus but not on Muslims). Anyone with talent in any field (including music and painting) was welcome in Akbar's court.


Tansen, Baz Bahadur and Birbal were associated with the Mughal court. Rajput princes, who felt attracted to his personality and ideals, worked loyally for him as generals and ministers. Among these were Man Singh, Bhagwandas and Todar Mall. Akbar traced his lineage to the great Timur and Chingiz Khan of Turkish and Mongol descent. By his marriage to the Rajput princess of Amber (who was later to become the mother of the future emperor, Jehangir) he sealed his links with Hindustan. After Akbar's victory at the second Battle of Panipat, there was never against the need to return to Kabul and the mountain regions of his ancestors.