Vice President released book entitled "Akbar: The Aesthete"

• The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari released a book on Mughal Miniatures entitled "Akbar : The Aesthete"  on 28th February 2014 at India International Centre (IIC), Delhi .
• Book "Akbar : The Aesthete" is authored by acclaimed educationist & Principal, Janki Devi Memorial College, Dr. Indu Anand.
• The book is a presentation of the miniatures of Mughal era of Akbar, as he was a promoter of arts apart from being an aesthete. 
• The miniatures of Mughal period are a vivid account of cultural, sociopolitical scenario of its era. Eminent Persian and Indian artists thronged his Royal Studio and were encouraged to paint numerous emotive miniatures of style and substance, communicating highly complex narratives. 
• This book combines the sources and methodology of history and art history of the Mughal era and analyzes a select group of paintings of Akbar's reign.

Meaning of  Aesthete: A person who is appreciative of and sensitive to art and beauty.

Important points about Abkar : 

• Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad Akbar, popularly known as Akbar, perhaps, was the greatest Mughal Emperor.
• Akbar was a Mughal Emperor from 1556 to 1605.
•  Born to Humayun, the second Mughal emperor and Hamida Banu Begum on 14th October, 1542 in erstwhile Sindh, now in Pakistan.
• Akbar was born on 14 October 1542.
• Laid the foundation of a new religion- Din-e-Illahi(Din-e-Illahi was based on the basic principles of the major religions such a Hinduism, Islam and Parsi faith).
• Akbar made many historical monuments like Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Buland Darwaza, and Lahore Palace etc.
• Navratnas
  Akbar's court had Navaratnas (Nine Jewels), meaning a group of nine extraordinary people. They included:
  1. Abul Fazel (Akbars's chief advisor and author of Akbarnama)
  2. Faizi (Akbar's poet laureate)
  3. Mian Tansen (a Hindu singer who converted to Islam)
  4. Birbal (a noble known for his wittiness)
  5. Raja Todar Mal (Akbar's finance minister)
  6. Raja Man Singh (trusted general of Akbar)
  7. Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana (a noble and a renowned poet)
  8. Fakir Aziao-Din
  9. Mullah Do Piaza
  • Akbar vehemently opposed the idea of child marriage and also opposed the social norm which prevented widows from getting remarried. 
• He also despised the practice of Sati tradition.
• Mansabdari System:This was a system of administration introduced by Akbar to divide the whole territory into small regions and appoint Mansabdars to control over the small regions.
• Battles fought:                                                                                               -first battle fought by Akbar was against Sikandar Shah Suri of Punjab.                                                                                                                                 - On 5th November 1556, 'Akbar the Great' fought the Second Battle of Panipat against General Hemu.                                                                          - Battle of Haldighati(1576)

This was started between Akbar and Rana of Mewar Pratap. Decisive Mughal victory.

• Breathed his last on 12th October 1605.                          

• Akbar was succeeded by his son Jahangir.