Political Reform
Akbar always sought to improve society to benefit his people, unlike most rulers who wallowed in their wealth. Also, unlike most muslim rulers, he did not solely try to benefit people of the Islamic faith. He improved the calendar, established living quarters for the homeless population and tried to regulate the consumption of alcohol. Ironically, his own son drank 20 cups of wine a day.
He also sought the improvement of woman status in society. He encouraged things like widow remarriage, and discouraged practices like sati, the hindu ceremony when a widow jumps on the pyre of her late husband. To help women from purdah, or seclusion, he made a special day where only women could shop in the markets. This shows us how he was thinking like pioneers of the 21st century, far ahead of his time.
He was known for eradicating jizya, the tax imposed on non believers of the muslim faith. In hopes of creating a stronger bond with Hindu kingdoms, he married Jodhabai, a hindu Rajput princess. It is said that she was his favorite of more than 30 wives. He went as far as inventing his own religion, Din-i-Ilahi, a combination of Muslim and Hindu beliefs, but it failed to become popular with the subjects.
Overall, these reforms changed the attitudes of many people to monarchies, and established important alliances and connections that positively affected the empire for generations to come. Unfortunately, some of the efforts were tossed away as the last Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, failed to practice tolerance.
The following primary resource describes his thoughts on learning, education and the power of God, whichever God it may be. It was written by his close friend, Abu Fazi, and documented in Akbarnama, which is considered his biography.
'"Tis he who by virtue of our age, to wit, that Lord of the hosts of sciences, - theatre of God's power, - station of infinite bounties, - unique o the eternal temple, - confidant of the dais of unity, - jewel of the imperial mine, - bezel of God's signet-ring, - glory of the Gurgan family, - lamp of the tribe of Timur, - lord of incomparable mystery, - heir of Humayun's throne, - origin of the canons of world-government, - author of universal conquest, - shining forehead of the morning of guidance, - focus of the sun of holiness, - sublime concentration of humanity, - heir apparent of the sun, - anthology of the books of fate and destiny, - protagonist of triumphant armies, - quintessence of the co-mingling of nights and days, - cream of the progeny of the elements and the heavenly bodies, - world's eye (sun) of benevolence and bounty, - cheek-mole of sovereignty and fortune, [...] brilliant master of lofty understanding - ornament of wisdom, - cherisher of the wise, - world-adorning"
He also sought the improvement of woman status in society. He encouraged things like widow remarriage, and discouraged practices like sati, the hindu ceremony when a widow jumps on the pyre of her late husband. To help women from purdah, or seclusion, he made a special day where only women could shop in the markets. This shows us how he was thinking like pioneers of the 21st century, far ahead of his time.
He was known for eradicating jizya, the tax imposed on non believers of the muslim faith. In hopes of creating a stronger bond with Hindu kingdoms, he married Jodhabai, a hindu Rajput princess. It is said that she was his favorite of more than 30 wives. He went as far as inventing his own religion, Din-i-Ilahi, a combination of Muslim and Hindu beliefs, but it failed to become popular with the subjects.
Overall, these reforms changed the attitudes of many people to monarchies, and established important alliances and connections that positively affected the empire for generations to come. Unfortunately, some of the efforts were tossed away as the last Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, failed to practice tolerance.
The following primary resource describes his thoughts on learning, education and the power of God, whichever God it may be. It was written by his close friend, Abu Fazi, and documented in Akbarnama, which is considered his biography.
'"Tis he who by virtue of our age, to wit, that Lord of the hosts of sciences, - theatre of God's power, - station of infinite bounties, - unique o the eternal temple, - confidant of the dais of unity, - jewel of the imperial mine, - bezel of God's signet-ring, - glory of the Gurgan family, - lamp of the tribe of Timur, - lord of incomparable mystery, - heir of Humayun's throne, - origin of the canons of world-government, - author of universal conquest, - shining forehead of the morning of guidance, - focus of the sun of holiness, - sublime concentration of humanity, - heir apparent of the sun, - anthology of the books of fate and destiny, - protagonist of triumphant armies, - quintessence of the co-mingling of nights and days, - cream of the progeny of the elements and the heavenly bodies, - world's eye (sun) of benevolence and bounty, - cheek-mole of sovereignty and fortune, [...] brilliant master of lofty understanding - ornament of wisdom, - cherisher of the wise, - world-adorning"