WHY AM I (AKBAR) SO GREAT AT BEING A RULER?

I want to start off by saying, It doesn't matter if we’re rich or poor, it matters what we make of it. And that goes to show that it’s unimportant if we inherit things if we don't know how to make it something worth having. And that’s exactly what I did with my father’s empire. I made it better, size, culture, and military wise. And in 49 years, I tripled the empire’s size and wealth. I had an undefeated military because of my conquests of Afghanistan in the north, Bengal in the east, the Godvari river in the south, and Sindh in the west. My conquests led to conquered people being loyal to me. My tactics included the use of elephants,cannons, and fortifications. I also expanded into central India and took over North India. I made alliances with the warrior ruling class, and had them serve in my military. I created a powerful military system and instituted effective political and social reforms. I also created a feudal system similar to that of Europe. And abolished the system of selling wives of prisoners in the open market. I was known for rewarding talent, loyalty, and intellect, regardless of ethnic background or religious practice. In addition to producing an able administration, this practice brought stability to my dynasty by establishing a base of loyalty to me that was greater than that of any one religion. And I appealed to the Rajput people by ruling in a spirit of cooperation and tolerance. I began an era of religious tolerance and appreciation of the arts. Being illiterate myself, I realized how important the arts were and encouraged scholars, poets, painters, and musicians. My court became a center of art and culture. In order to preserve the unity of my empire, I adopted programs that won the loyalty of the non-Muslim populations of my realm. I did not force India’s majority Hindu population to convert to Islam; I accommodated them instead, abolishing the poll tax on non-Muslims, translating Hindu literature, and participating in Hindu festivals.

WHY WAS HE GREAT LOOKING BACK?

Why was Akbar great for the government?

Akbar was very good at making a strong, organized, and centralized government. He reviewed his tax system, separating revenue collection from military administration. Each governor was responsible for maintaining order in his region, while a separate tax collector collected property taxes and sent them to the capital. This created checks in each region since the people with money had no troops, and troops had no money, and all were dependent on the central government. The central government then gives out appropriate salaries to both military and civilian personnel according to rank. He reformed and strengthened his central administration and also centralized his financial system and reorganized the tax-collection processes.

Why was Akbar a great military leader?

Akbar had an undefeated military because of his conquests of Afghanistan in the north, Bengal in the east, the Godvari river in the south, and Sindh in the west. His conquests led to conquered people being loyal to him. His military tactics included the use of elephants, cannons, and fortifications, using intricate systems to outsmart his enemies. Akbar's military system went through some changes over time and was weakened only by his successors. He also expanded into central India and took over North India. He made alliances with the Rajputs, the warrior ruling class, and had them serve in his own military. Akbar also created a strong feudal system similar to that of Europe.

Why was Akbar great for culture?

He ushered in an era of religious tolerance and appreciation of the arts. Being illiterate himself, he realized how important the arts were and he encouraged scholars, poets, painters, and musicians. His court became a center of art and culture. In order to preserve the unity of his empire, Akbar adopted programs that won the loyalty of the non-Muslim populations of his realm. Although he never renounced Islam, he took an active interest in other religions, persuading Hindus, Parsis, and Christians, as well as Muslims, to engage in religious discussion before him. He did not force India’s majority Hindu population to convert to Islam; he accommodated them instead, abolishing the poll tax on non-Muslims, translating Hindu literature and participating in Hindu festivals.