Find out more about any one Mughal chronicle. Prepare a report describing the author, and the language, style and content of the text. Describe at
least two visuals used to illustrate the chronicle of your choice, focusing on the symbols used to indicate the power of the emperor.

(i) Abul Fazl was the most important author of the Akbar reign. He wrote Akbar-nama. Abul Fazl grew up in the Mughal capital of Agra. He was widely read in Arabic, Persian, Greek philosophy and Sufism. Moreover, he was a forceful debater and independent thinker who consistently opposed the views of the conservative ulemas. These qualities impressed Akbar, who found Abul Fazl ideally suited as an adviser and a spokeperson for his policies.

(ii) One major objective of the emperor was to free the state from the control of religious orthodoxy. In his role as court historian, Abul Fazl both shaped and articulated the ideas associated with the reign of Akbar. The book is divided into three portions.

(a)    The first volume of Akbarnama begins with birth of Akbar and with the date 15 Sept. 1542. In this protion the author has mention about the composition of the earth and thought of different religious people.

(b)    In the second volume of the book the event of the Akbar’s life upto 46 years of his life have been described.

(c)    The third volume of Akbarnama is called Ain-i-Akbari (Ain-i Shorat).

Language : Language of this book is Persian. It is very simple but it has been written in very effective manner.

Two visual examples described by the author :

(i)    The flight of the written word : In

Abul Fazl’s words :

The written word may embody the wisdom of by gone ages and may become a means to intellectual progress. The spoken word goes to the heart of those who are present to hear it. The written work gives wisdom to those who are near and far. If it was not for the written word, the spoken word would soon die, and no keepsake would be left us from those who are passed away. Superficial observers see in the letter a dark figure, but the deep sighted see in it a lamp of wisdom (chirag-i shinasai). The written word looks black, not with standing the the thousand rays within, it, or it is a light with a mole on that wards off the evil eye. A letter (khat) is the portrait of wisdom, a rough sketch from the realm of ideas, a dark light ushering in day.

(ii)    Darbar-i-Akbari : Abul Fazl gives a vivid account of Akbar’s darbar :

Whenever His Majesty (Akbar) holds court (darbar) a large drum is beaten, the sounds of which are accompanied by divine praise. In this manner, people of all classes receive notice. His Majesty’s sons and grandchildren, the grandees of the court, and all other men who have admittance, attend to make the kornish, and remain standing in their proper places. During the whole time, skilful gladiators and wrestlers from all countries hold themselves in readiness, and singers, male and female, are in waiting. Clever jugglers and funny tumblers also are anxious to exhibit their dexterity and agility.