Akbar (1542-1605) ranks among the greatest rulers in the history of the world. He is considered as the real founder of the Mughal Empire. Among the medieval rulers, he was the only one who strived for secularism. The firmness and wisdom of his rule won him the title ‘Guardian of Mankind’. He was born in Umarkot, Sind.
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He was the son of Humayun and Hamida Bai. Akbar adopted a policy of conciliation and conquest towards Rajputs states. He married Jodha Bia, the daughter of a Rajput King, Raja Bihari Mal of Amber. He abolished pilgrim tax Jizyah and tax from non-Muslim in lieu of military service. He had a centralized administration. Akbar promulgated a new creed knows as ‘Din-i-Ilahi’. He patronized Navratra in his court. Akbar had tremendous interest in art, architecture and literature.