Akbar:The Mughal Prince

            There were many rulers in the Mughal Dynasty of India, but none of them stood out like the 13 year old successor of Humayan; Akbar.  Throughout his life, Akbar was devoted to India and the people who lived there. He tried to unite every Hindu and Muslim into one house. Akbar did not have a normal teenage life. Even though he was young, Akbar imprinted his life into the great Mughal Dynasty. 
            At first, the enemies of the Mughals took advantage of this new emperor, but Akbar in the end proved his power to all who faced him and his empire. He was a fine military commander who had a sense of mission to his life. Akbar was a true workaholic; overseeing the development of his military and administrative systems that would be the dynasty’s backbone. He patronized the arts and also entered into complex philosophical discussions with outside leaders. Akbar carried out social reforms to improve the tensions of Hindu and Muslim belief by creating universal religion. Akbar’s armies extended his empire with conquests throughout north and central India after 1560. 
            Akbar cooperated much with the Hindu majority. The most hated head tax created by Muslim rulers was abolished. He promoted Hindus to the highest ranks in government. Before Akbar came into the picture and other Muslim rulers were in control, there was a ban on building new Hindu temples. With Akbar, he unbanned this and magnificent temples were able to be built again. Hindus respect their cows very much; due to religion. Muslims were ordered to respect them. Trying to combine Muslim and Hindu belief, Akbar created the Din-i-Ilahi which is a mixture of the two faiths. Akbar did his best to make his people happy.
            Abkar wanted to reform his empire. He sought to improve the living quarters for beggars and vagabonds in the large cities. He also wanted to regulate alcohol consumption. Child marriages were discouraged while widow marriages were. Sati, the tradition of a widow being burned alive became prohibited. Akbar also tried to provide the relief of everyday women trapped in the seclusion of their home by encouraging the merchants of Delhi and other major cities to set aside a market day just for those women. His reforms did go out, but his idea of Din-i-Ilahi was rejected by both Muslims and Hindus after his death in 1605.
            Akbar was a great ruler. Under his reign, he carried out the best times of the Mughal Empire. Akbar proved to the world that he can be a good leader and would have made his murdered father Humayan, proud. He was fond of reforming India into a better place for all. Akbar tried his best up until he died. After his reign, the Mughal Dynasty started its slow downfall.

Essay By Reema N
1450-1750