Akbar the Great
ruling India
1556 – 1605
With wisdom
& tolerance
Barely out of his teens, Akbar:
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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.
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 & foreigners
Muslims & 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