30,474
edits
Akbar the Great: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
mNo edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
Not yet fourteen at his accession, the brilliant young Emperor Akbar set out to reconquer his realm. He became known throughout the world as Akbar the Great—the most powerful of the Mogul emperors. Tremendous physical stamina characterized Emperor Akbar and contributed to his extraordinary military success—he could ride 240 miles in twenty-four hours to surprise and defeat the enemy. Nevertheless, it took the major part of his long reign (1556–1605) to subject the rebellious princes of northern India and to secure peace by establishing sound provincial governments. | Not yet fourteen at his accession, the brilliant young Emperor Akbar set out to reconquer his realm. He became known throughout the world as Akbar the Great—the most powerful of the Mogul emperors. Tremendous physical stamina characterized Emperor Akbar and contributed to his extraordinary military success—he could ride 240 miles in twenty-four hours to surprise and defeat the enemy. Nevertheless, it took the major part of his long reign (1556–1605) to subject the rebellious princes of northern India and to secure peace by establishing sound provincial governments. | ||
Akbar was endowed with a genius for administration. He increased trade efficiency by constructing roads, by developing advanced marketing systems, and by instituting postal services. In wise concern for all peoples under his jurisdiction, Akbar abolished the hated | Akbar was endowed with a genius for administration. He increased trade efficiency by constructing roads, by developing advanced marketing systems, and by instituting postal services. In wise concern for all peoples under his jurisdiction, Akbar abolished the hated jizya, the poll-tax levied on non-Muslims, and gave Hindus prominent positions in government. The new capital city, Fatehpur Sikri, soon became a flourishing cultural center larger than the city of London at that time. | ||
Akbar strongly supported Indian art, and under his direction more than one hundred workshops were established for the crafts. The emperor himself was very fond of music and encouraged it as a means of communication between Hindus and Muslims. Although illiterate, Akbar’s library of illustrated manuscripts was as celebrated as the finest collections in Europe. | Akbar strongly supported Indian art, and under his direction more than one hundred workshops were established for the crafts. The emperor himself was very fond of music and encouraged it as a means of communication between Hindus and Muslims. Although illiterate, Akbar’s library of illustrated manuscripts was as celebrated as the finest collections in Europe. | ||