Not Taj Mahal, but Akbar's seminal ideas give Agra its 'pahchaan'

Agra October 15 (IANS) 

Neither the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) nor the divisional commissioner Pradeep Bhatnagar who last month announced installation of statues of nine jewels in Fatehpur Sikri, today remembered to celebrate Mughal emperor Akbar's birthday.

But the heritage lovers of Agra Wednesday morning gathered to celebrate the birth anniversary at Goverdhan hotel, of Mughal emperor Jalaluddin Akbar whose seminal ideas of 'Sulah Kul' and Din-e-Ilahi laid the foundation of modern-day secularism.

Amit Mukherjea, head of the history department of St John's College said Akbar's ideas continue to be relevant even today. 'Akbar's experiments in governance, his ideas relating to coexistence and mutual tolerance of each other's faith and recognition of talents like the nine jewels, have to be seen as part of a rich legacy he left behind,' Mukherjea told IANS.

Akbar, a popular ruler of his time, was known for his intellectual contribution and advocacy of a composite culture through his 'Din-e-Ilahi', a concept that is of relevance in the present context of growing terrorism and religious intolerance, said senior media person Rajiv Saxena.

Other Mughal rulers like Shah Jahan were famed more for their architectural ideas, he added.

He is widely considered the greatest of the Mughal emperors and has been christened 'Akbar the Great'.

Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society here, lamented that the government had done nothing in Akbar's memory.  Sharma accused state politicians of plundering the Mughal city adding that its development had been haphazard and uneven.

The historians said Akbar's tomb in Sikandra and the Agra Fort needed urgent conservational efforts. They also suggested that the city be home to a Mughal museum and that special arrangements be made for tourists to experience authentic Mughlai cuisine.

A resolution was adopted at the meet and a 12-point charter of demands relating to infrastructure development and improvement in civic amenities will be submitted to district authorities for speedy implementation.

In his message on phone from Ajmer eminent mughal historian Prof R Nath said

 

"Agra's identity comes more from Akbar, who was one of the most popular rulers of his time, than others like Shah Jahan who were no doubt great builders, but their intellectual contribution was negligible. He lamented that the  Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and the culture department, the residents of the Taj city and Fatehpur Sikri did not think it necessary to hold any function to commemorate Mughal emperor Akbar's birthday, even though Agra as Akbarabad owes its identity to the Mughal emperor."

"Shah Jahan, at the time of his accession to the throne, named Agra as Akbarabad, but after a while it was back again to Agra. It is a great pity that despite such magnificent buildings like Sikandra, Fatehpur Sikri and the Agra Fort, Akbar was not so popular in this area, compared to the romantic tale of Shah Jahan and his Taj Mahal," said activist Anand Rai.