by Abū al-Faḍl ibn Mubārak
“Akbarnamah” (أكبَرنَامه) is the official chronicle of Emperor Akbar Shāh’s reign, composed by his vizier Abū al-Faḍl ibn Mubārak. This seminal work, divided into three volumes, provides a detailed account of Akbar’s ancestry, early life, and the major events of his rule, including his administrative reforms and military organization. Notably, the chronicle documents Akbar’s policies of religious tolerance and his establishment of the Din-i Ilāhī—a syncretic faith intended to unify his diverse subjects. From an orthodox and traditionalist Muslim perspective, such innovative religious policies are viewed critically as deviations from classical Islamic teachings. While Akbarnamah remains an invaluable historical record of Mughal statecraft and cultural achievement, its portrayal of Akbar’s religious innovations continues to evoke debate among scholars.
