The New Student's Reference Work/Akbar

Ak'bar, one of the greatest and wisest of the Mogul emperors, was born at Amarkote, in Sindh, in 1542. When he ascended the throne only a small part of what had formerly belonged to the Mogul empire owned his authority, and he devoted himself with wonderful success to the recovery of the revolted provinces. He tried by every means to encourage commerce. He had the land carefully measured, so that the taxes should be fair. His people were of different races and religions, but he was just and tolerant to all. He founded schools and was friendly to scholars. Measures like these gained for him the title of "Guardian of Mankind," and caused him to be held up as a model to Indian princes of later times. He died in 1605.