| Akbar came to the throne at a young age of 13 in | | | | taking part in various Hindu practises. Akbar is said to |
| 1556, following the sudden death of his father | | | | have been deeply moved by a meeting with the Hindu |
| Humayun. In the early part of his rule Akbar had to | | | | princess Mirabai. Towards the end of his life Akbar |
| fight many opponents who opposed his rule. However | | | | tried to develop a new religion called Din-i Ilahi , or "The |
| under the guidance of Bairam Khan, Akbar began | | | | Religion of God." This was a synthesis of all the |
| seizing more territory throughout Hindustan. By the time | | | | religions based on the idea of God as the Supreme |
| of his death (1605) Akbar controlled most of northern | | | | Being, but also the idea of divine Kingship. This was an |
| India and Afghanistan his Empire was greater than that | | | | idea heretical to the Muslim orthodoxy. |
| under Babar. | | | | Akbar had a liking for intellectual discussion and was |
| However Akbar wasn't just a great conqueror, he also | | | | very fond of his scholars and advisers. Birbal, Abul Fazl |
| proved adept at winning the trust and support of the | | | | and Tansen. Akbar also had a great respect for the |
| Hindu population who came under his control. This was | | | | Sufi Mystic Shayk Salim Chishti. It was Chisti who |
| partly due to the many enlightened policies he | | | | prophesised the birth of his son Jahangir. |
| introduced. For example in 1579 he abolished the Jizya, | | | | Towards the end of his life Akbar experienced an |
| a tax imposed on most of the non-Muslims. In addition | | | | abortive attempt by his own son to overthrow the rule |
| Akbar rescinded a "pilgrimage" tax payed by Hindu's | | | | of Akbar. Jahangir claimed to be the "defender of the |
| who travelled to various Hindu pilgrimage sites. | | | | faith". Akbar was able to put down this rebellion |
| Akbar also developed a very efficient and relatively | | | | although after this he did soften his stance towards |
| fair system of bureaucracy and administration. A | | | | Islam. At his death he was again considered to be an |
| military governor was put in charge of each province; | | | | orthodox Muslim. |
| this governor was then responsible for any abuses of | | | | Akbar is remembered by both Eastern and Western |
| power or mistreatments in his area. Akbar also gained | | | | historians as one of the most enlightened rulers of the |
| the backing of local Hindu provinces through marrying | | | | medieval ages. Akbar's religious tolerance was unusual |
| the daughters of various families. At his death he was | | | | for the time period; partly this tolerance was born out |
| said to have over 4,000 wives. | | | | of practicalities. However Akbar also displayed a |
| Akbar called himself an orthodox Muslim however he | | | | genuine interest in spirituality, which sought to absorb |
| displayed an increasing degree of unorthodox | | | | the best of all religions. |
| behaviour. His tolerance towards Hinduism extended to | | | | |