AKBAR

born Oct. 15, 1542, Umarkot, Sind, India died 1605, Agra in full Abu-ul-fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar greatest of the Mughal emperors of India (reigning 15561605), who extended Mughal power over most of the Indian subcontinent. In order to preserve the unity of his empire, Akbar adopted programs that won the loyalty of the non-Muslim populations of his realm. He reformed and strengthened his central administration and also centralized his financial system and reorganized tax collection processes. 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. Illiterate himself, he encouraged scholars, poets, painters, and musicians, making his court a centre of culture. Additional reading Vincent A. Smith, Akbar the Great Mogul, 15421605, 2nd ed. (1919), is still the standard biography. Ashirbadi Lal Srivastava, Akbar the Great, vol. 1, Political History, 15421605, vol. 2, Evolution of Administration, 15561605 (196267), is a reliable account.