A History of Agriculture in India v2.c73.s3: Faizi and Abu-l-Fazl—Companions and Advisers of Akbar
A History of Agriculture in India v2.c73.s3
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Faizi and Abu-l-Fazl—Companions and Advisers of Akbar
v2.c73.s3.1
Akbar was greatly influenced by two brothers Faizi and Abu-l-Fazl, sons of Shaikh Mubarak, Sufi scholar, who was known for his learning and liberal opinions on religious matters. Faizi was the first Muslim who applied himself to a diligent study of Hindu literature and science. Besides Sanskrit works in poetry and philosophy, he made a version of Bhaskara’s *Bija Ganita* and *Lilavati*, the best Hindu books on algebra and arithmetic.
v2.c73.s3.2
He likewise superintended translations made from Sanskrit by other learned men, including one, at least, of the Vedas, and the *Mahabharata* and the *Ramayana* and the *History of Kashmir*. Faizi was first presented to Akbar in the twelfth year of his reign, and he introduced Abu-l-Fazl to Akbar six years later, in A.D. 1574.
v2.c73.s3.3
Abu-l-Fazl was the second son of Shaikh Mubarak and was born on the 14 January 1551. He was educated under his father’s care, and was a devoted student. His abilities were immediately recognized by Akbar and every year he grew in favour and in power, until he rose to the office of Prime Minister, and became a *mansabdar* of 4,000.
v2.c73.s3.4
The greatest of Abu-l-Fazl’s production was the *Akbar-nama*, in two volumes, and the *Ain-i-Akbari* or Institutes, which is a distinct work. The encyclopaedic learning of Abu-l-Fazl rivalled that of Alberuni. The *Ain* is also the fore-runner of the *British Imperial Gazetteers*. The history of the reign of Akbar is given in full in the *Akbar-nama*, year by year, from the accession of the Emperor to the end of the forty-sixth year of the reign, A.D. 1602. Those brothers soon became the intimate friends and inseparable companions of their sovereign. They were the confidants of all his new opinions in religion, and his advisers in his patronage of literature. They were also consulted and employed in the most important affairs of the government.
Cites (6)
- Rājataraṅgiṇī — Kalhaṇa, Sanskrit
- Līlāvaī — Kouhala, Māhārāṣṭrī Prakrit
- Bījagaṇita — Bhāskara II, Sanskrit
- Mahābhārata — Vyāsa, Sanskrit
- Veda — Sanskrit
- Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa — Vālmīki, Sanskrit