- Image of Akbar, considered the greatest ruler of the Mongul's, later in his life
Akbar's Importance in the Mongul Rule
Though Akbar was only fourteen when he took the throne, he is still known today as one of the greatest Mongol monarchs. By 1605 he had brought Mongul rule over most of India by using heavy artillery in his armies, which resulted in them overpowering stone fortresses of rivals, and the empire was aggressively expanded through military conquest. Being a successful negotiator, Akbar's conquest had created the greatest Indian Empire since the Mauryan Dynasty. Though Akbar was born Muslim, he adopted religious tolerance, showing keen interest in other religions, tolerating Hindu practices over the independent states that he held together as an emperor, taking a Hindu princess as one of his brides, even welcoming the expression of Christian views by his Jesuit advisers at court. He even eliminated a special tax that non-Muslims were required to pay. The Akbar-era was a time of progress, more than most eras, which is why Akbar was such an important ruler in this time period.