7 things that made Akbar exceptional


  1. He understood that India could not be ruled by force alone
    Akbar realised that the Mughal rulers were a minority ruling an enormous and diverse population. His answer was inclusion rather than permanent confrontation.
  2. He brought former enemies into the ruling system
    His alliances with the Rajputs were enormously important. Rajput rulers were given high mansabs, military commands and political status. Instead of eliminating powerful local elites, Akbar made many of them partners in the empire.
  3. He separated political loyalty from religion
    Akbar abolished the pilgrimage tax and later the jizya, and developed a policy often described as sulh-i kul — "universal peace." He encouraged discussion between Muslims, Hindus, Jains, Christians and others.
  4. He built institutions rather than depending entirely on himself
    His mansabdari system, revenue administration and provincial organisation created machinery through which the empire could actually be governed. This was crucial to Mughal longevity.
  5. He was extraordinarily curious
    Akbar had little formal education but possessed an exceptional intellectual curiosity. He had books read to him, encouraged translations from Sanskrit into Persian and held religious and philosophical discussions at the Ibadat Khana.
  6. He deliberately created a new imperial culture
    Akbar's court brought together Persian, Central Asian and Indian traditions. This produced extraordinary developments in painting, literature, architecture, music and historiography.
  7. He understood the importance of symbols and storytelling
    Akbar's court commissioned enormous illustrated manuscripts, monumental architecture and historical chronicles. He wasn't merely governing India—he was creating the idea of Mughal sovereignty.

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