XV IF the Deccan disappointed Akbar’s last ambition, there were other and worse blows preparing for the last decade of his life, blows at his very heart. There has been…
Category: Laurence Binyon’s AKBAR
The life account of Akbar by Laurence Binyon
AKBAR – Chapter 14
XIV The empire was still far from commensurate with its ruler’s ambition. All the great region to the south was outside his sway, and to the north and west there…
AKBAR – Chapter 13
XIII WHEN, at the gates of Kabul, Monserrate offered the emperor his congratulations, the Jesuit comments on Akbar’s pleasure, with the surmise that, being greedy of glory, he hoped that…
AKBAR – Chapter 12
XII SHAH MANSUR was a petty clerk who showed a remarkable aptitude for accounts and the details of finance. Akbar noticed his ability and raised him to high office. He…
AKBAR – Chapter 11
XI THE real mind of Akbar was perhaps disclosed when, summoning the priests to a private audience, he declared of his own accord that he wished the Christians to come…
AKBAR – Chapter 10
X In the spring of 1574 there arrived at court a young man who was destined to a brilliant career; who was to become Akbar’s closest and most trusted friend,…
AKBAR – Chapter 9
IX AKBAR’S aim was to rule from sea to sea. His eyes were now turned westward. There, between the frontiers of his dominions and the Arabian Sea, lay Gujerat, a…
AKBAR – Chapter 8
VIII WITH all his achievements Akbar lacked and greatly longed for a thing which fortune had so far denied him. He had scores of wives, but he had no son.…
AKBAR – Chapter 7
VII THUS it was that Akbar emerged from ‘behind the veil’ (in Anul Fazl’s phrase), and now openly and in person undertook the supervision of his government. The corruption and…
AKBAR – Chapter 6
VI MEANWHILE, the young emperor was called to active efforts in the field. The surrender of Gwalior and the annexation of Jaunpur had strengthened Akbar’s frontiers : he was now…