He
appointed nobles and mansabdars without any religious prejudice. Akbar's
religious innovations and policies, and deviation from Islamic dogma,
have been a source of debate and controversy. Akbar was a great patron
of literary works and scholars. His court had numerous scholars of the
day who are well known as "Nauratan".
Akbar, though a Muslim, is remembered as a tolerant ruler, and he even
started a new faith, Din-i-Ilahi, which was an attempt to blend Islam
with Hinduism, Christianity, Jainism, and other faiths. He won over the
Hindus by naming them to important military and civil positions, by
conferring honors upon them, and by marrying a Hindu princess.
Akbar had three sons Prince Salim, Murad and Daniyal. Prince Murad and
Daniyal died in their prime during their father's lifetime. However,
Akbar faced problems with Prince Salim and the last four years of
Akbar's life were consumed in crushing Salim's rebellion. Akbar fell ill
and died of slow poisoning on October 27, 1605. With him ended the most
glorious epoch in Indian history.
