Impact on Society
The Mughal Empire and Today
Akbar's actions and policies had a long lasting effect on the people of his empire. People tended to develop more religious tolerance towards one another. He gained popularity from different groups when he allowed temples to be built, or when he eradicated jizya. Other reforms such as regulating the consumption of alcohol or improving the status of women increased the quality of life of his subjects. His successors, for the most part, carried out his plans, and in some areas, they achieved even greater feats, like Shah Jahan's Taj Mahal. Auraungzeb, the last Mughal emperor enforced ineffective policies that brought about the downfall of the Mughal empire, but Akbar's policies and ideas had a strong influence for over 300 years.
Today, his ideas about religious tolerance are in practice all over the world. Gandhi used his ideas of peace and tolerance to overcome British rule and win independence for India. Martin Luther King used Gandhi's policies to gain civil rights for African Americans in America. Women's rights can also be traced back to Akbar's rule. A lot of literature surrounds Mughal life, such as the "Tales of Akbar and Birbal", a collection of stories about Akbar and his grand vizier. The film industry has centered a number of movies on the interesting life of Akbar, including "Mughal e-Azam and "Jodhaa Akbar". Indirectly, Akbar's futuristic mindset has been influential from the 1500s to the 21st century.
Today, his ideas about religious tolerance are in practice all over the world. Gandhi used his ideas of peace and tolerance to overcome British rule and win independence for India. Martin Luther King used Gandhi's policies to gain civil rights for African Americans in America. Women's rights can also be traced back to Akbar's rule. A lot of literature surrounds Mughal life, such as the "Tales of Akbar and Birbal", a collection of stories about Akbar and his grand vizier. The film industry has centered a number of movies on the interesting life of Akbar, including "Mughal e-Azam and "Jodhaa Akbar". Indirectly, Akbar's futuristic mindset has been influential from the 1500s to the 21st century.