Who is Simon

Study Notes

Abul Fazl was born under the name Faizi, in the city of Raibareilly in Uttar Pradesh around 1560. He later opted for a new name—Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak—in honor of his maternal grandfather after he became one of Akbar’s most trusted advisors. This intellectual giant is best remembered today by this second name.

During Emperor Akbar's reign, Abul Fazl served as the imperial historian and chronicler, recording the events and achievements of Akbar's rule between 1579 and 1599. His work, the Akbarnama, which means 'The Book Of Akbar', contains voluminous historical accounts and diplomatic correspondence, reflecting the glory of the reign of the great ruler Akbar. It includes descriptions of the emperor's hunting expeditions, his interactions with people from different classes and regions, and other aspects of royal life. In addition to these activities, Abul Fazl also wrote works on poetry, literature, astronomy, logic, politics, biography, chronology, philology, and mathematics, demonstrating his wide range of interests and skills.

The Akbarnama has been translated into English multiple times since its first publication in 1609. The original text was written in Persian, a testament to Abul Fazl's position as both chief minister and historian. His writing is generally considered objective, particularly when compared to some modern historians who tended towards flattery rather than objectivity. The value of Akbarnama cannot be overstated; it remains a seminal source of information about Akbar and his era.