Akbar the Great

ruling India

1556 – 1605

With wisdom

& tolerance

• quickly consolidated power• centralized the administration • dispensed with ambitious Ministers • dealt swiftly with dissident commanders • encouraged marriages between Hindus &

Muslims.• married Hindu princess (first of thirty-three

wives)• her relatives became loyal lieutenants

and were treated as nobles.

Barely out of his teens, Akbar:

Akbar’s Royal Bathing Chamber

The Agra Fort: Military power was the root of his strength.

Gwalior Fortress:

Taken over by Akbar

The Emperor Akbar had great reverence for the House of Guru Nanak. He honoured saints of all religions and paid his homage while touring his empire. Guru AmarDas Ji’s fame had also reached his ears and Akbar went to visit Guru Ji in Gowindwal in 1567. He got off his horse and

walked a distance in reverence for the Guru. Seeing the spiritual and non-sectarian atmosphere of Guru Sahib Ji’s

sanctuary, Akbar was greatly impressed. On being informed that no one, high or low could gain an audience with the Guru without first partaking food in the langar ,

Akbar welcomed the idea and sitting in a row with all other common folk he ate langar. Akbar was profoundly

impressed by this unique institution where all men, irrespective of caste or religion sat on one level and ate

food.

www.info-sikh.com/G-EmpPage1.html

Akbar pays his respect to Sikh religious leader.

Akbar visits Hindu holy man

Akbar invented “Divine Faith”:

a blend of Islam, Hinduism, Jainism & Christianity

Offended some Muslims, who attempted a revolt

When Akbar died, so did the “Divine Faith”,

though several religions today blend ideas from all faiths.

Buland Darwaza (“High Gate”)

Akbar’s bureaucracy:

made up of natives & foreignersMuslims & Hindus

Position based on merit

chief finance minister created a graduated income tax (not adopted by U.S. until 20th century) taxes were fair & affordable

more people paid

more money was raised

The Tomb of

Akbar

The Great