The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c15.76

v4.c15.76

The completion of Akbar’s twentieth year was the turning point of his life. He had freed himself from all malign influences and was able to pursue his own high ideals. With all his faults and all his foibles, and they were many, he was a truly great ruler and was the first of the Muslim sovereigns of India to conceive the idea of dealing impartially with all his subjects, whether Hindus or Muslims. It may also be said that he was the last. Henceforward the chronicle of his reign is the story of the man, not of the influence of this or that minister or faction.