Episodes
Akbar's Water Architecture: The Baolis of Fatehpur Sikri
Long before Akbar built his sandstone city at Fatehpur Sikri, the question of water had to be solved. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the emperor's remarkable hydraulic engineering — the stepwells, or baolis, that supplied a capital in the middle of a dry ridge. They trace how Persian and Indian techniques merged: the qanat-like filtration of the Jwalamukhi tank, the intricate carved pillars of the Baoli Ghosi, and the practical genius of the circular Baoli Jodha Bai that kept water…
Akbar's Fathpur Sikri: The City That Became a Ghost
In Episode 202, Lucas and Luna explore the rise and fall of Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's majestic capital built to honor the Sufi saint Salim Chishti. They discuss the city's stunning architecture, its brief 14-year reign as the Mughal heart, and the mysterious water crisis that forced Akbar to abandon it. Along the way, they touch on the Buland Darwaza, the Ibadat Khana debates, and the legend of the city's haunting silence. A story of ambition, faith, and the practical limits of empire.…
Akbar's Elephant: The Royal Stables That Shaped an Empire
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the unexpected world of Akbar's elephant stables — a massive operation that housed thousands of elephants, employed thousands of keepers, and even had its own hierarchy of doctors, tailors, and cooks. From the famous elephant Mast Ali who saved Akbar's life during the siege of Chittor, to the daily routines of the mahouts and the careful record-keeping in the Ain-i-Akbari, we uncover how these gentle giants were both weapons of war and…
Akbar's Dovecote: The Pigeon Messengers of Fatehpur Sikri
In this milestone episode, Lucas and Luna explore one of Akbar's lesser-known innovations: his use of carrier pigeons to move urgent messages across the Mughal Empire. They trace the practice back to ancient Persia and the Delhi Sultanate, explain how Akbar's pigeon post worked — with dedicated pigeon-houses, trained birds, and royal patronage — and how it complemented his more formal intelligence network. They discuss the limits of pigeon post in monsoon weather, how it compared to runner…
Akbar's Jizya: The Tax He Abolished That Shook an Empire
In 1564, Akbar the Great made a stunning decision: he abolished the jizya, the tax on non-Muslims that had been a cornerstone of Islamic rule in India since the Delhi Sultanate. It was a radical act of religious pluralism that anticipated the Sulh-i-Kul, his policy of universal peace, by decades. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the origins of the jizya, the debates it sparked among Akbar's courtiers and the ulama, and the real-world consequences of its removal. They trace the tax's…
Akbar's Stargazers: The Royal Observatory of Fatehpur Sikri
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar's lesser-known passion for astronomy. We follow the emperor's 1584 decision to bring the scholar Fathullah Shirazi to Fatehpur Sikri, and the construction of an extraordinary observatory and sundial that still stands today. We discuss the celestial globe of 1585, the Zij-i-Muhammud Shahi tables, and how Akbar's astrologers — including controversial figures like Mullah Muhammad and Jotik Rai — influenced military campaigns and the founding of his new…
Akbar's Firearms: The Matchlock That Built an Empire
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar's revolutionary use of gunpowder weapons. From the crucial victory at the Second Battle of Panipat to the standardization of matchlocks (banduq) and the innovative use of early rockets, Akbar transformed Mughal warfare. Discover how Persian and Ottoman technology blended with Indian craftsmanship to create a formidable arsenal. Learn about the role of the artillery corps (zarb-zan), the introduction of the chehra and dagh reforms…
Akbar's Elephant Wars: The Emperor Who Rode into Battle
Before he was the architect of Sulh-i-Kul, before the Mansabdari system or the Ibadat Khana, Akbar was a young monarch who took to war on the back of an elephant. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the world of Mughal war elephants — the massive, disciplined beasts that could smash city gates, turn the tide of battle, and terrify enemy ranks. From the famous elephant duel at Panipat in 1556, where Akbar's rival Hemu was captured, to the emperor's own legendary mount, Mast Ali, we trace how…
Akbar's Persian Translations: The Razmnama and Cultural Synthesis
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar's ambitious translation project that brought the Mahabharata into Persian as the Razmnama, or 'Book of Wars'. They discuss how the emperor commissioned Abul Fazl and a team of scholars to translate the Sanskrit epic, blending Hindu and Muslim artistic traditions in the illustrated manuscripts. The conversation touches on the challenges of translation, the role of the Ibadat Khana in fostering interfaith dialogue, and how these translations…
Akbar's Jharoka: The Window That Ruled an Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna step through the jharoka-i-darshan — the famous balcony window from which Akbar showed himself to his subjects every dawn. What began as a practical way to hear petitions became a ritual of divine kingship, blending Persian, Indian, and even Sufi ideas of authority. Lucas explains how Akbar used the jharoka to project power, manage justice, and even communicate with his spies, drawing on descriptions from Abul Fazl's Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari. He also traces how…
Akbar's Mint: The Coinage That Unified an Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the surprisingly strategic world of Akbar's minting operations. Beyond the dramatic battles and grand architecture, the emperor's coins were a quiet form of statecraft. We trace how Akbar introduced a uniform tri-metallic currency across his vast realm, from the heavy silver rupee to the humble dam. By standardizing weights, metals, and even the calligraphy and imagery on each coin, Akbar didn't just facilitate trade — he projected imperial authority into…
Akbar's Lost Library: The Emperor Who Collected Books
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore an overlooked corner of Akbar's legacy: his immense personal library and the empire-wide book trade that fed it. They discuss the royal library's layout, with its separate sections for Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Hindavi manuscripts, and the emperor's habit of reading aloud with his courtiers. They touch on the famous calligraphers like Mir Ali Tabrizi and the illustrators of the Hamzanama, as well as Akbar's own taste — from historical chronicles to…
Akbar's Navy: The Mughal Fleet That Ruled the Rivers
In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into Akbar's naval strategy, from the river fleets of the Ganges to the shipyards of Gujarat. They explore how the Mughal Empire, often seen as a land power, built a formidable navy under admirals like Khwaja Jahan and Yar Beg, and how the Portuguese presence in the Indian Ocean shaped Akbar's policies. Learn about the siege of Surat, the construction of the shipyard at Daman, and the innovative use of riverboats in the Bengal campaigns. The episode also…
Akbar's Spies: The Intelligence Network That Held an Empire Together
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the shadowy world of Akbar's espionage network. When the Mughal emperor sat on his throne in Fatehpur Sikri, listening to debates in the Ibadat Khana, he also listened to a thousand whispers from across his realm. The akhbar-navis wrote the daily newsletter, the waqia-navis tracked battles and harvests, and the savanih-nigars watched the watchers. Akbar trusted no single report, and his system of cross-checked intelligence kept…
Akbar's Peace with Mewar: The 1615 Treaty That Ended a Rivalry
In 1615, two decades after Akbar's death, his son Jahangir finally achieved what his father could not: the submission of Mewar. This episode traces the long Mughal–Rajput struggle from the 1567 siege of Chittor to the 1576 Battle of Haldighati, and then follows the guerrilla warfare of Maharana Pratap and his son Amar Singh. We explore how Akbar's policy of 'sulh-i-kul' — absolute peace — shaped his approach to Mewar, why he never broke the Ranas, and how the eventual treaty of 1615, brokered…
Akbar's Land Revenue Revolution: Todar Mal and the Dahsala System
How did Akbar fund his massive empire without crushing the peasantry? The answer lies in the brilliant revenue reforms of his finance minister, Todar Mal. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the dahsala system—a ten-year average assessment that stabilized taxes, the meticulous land surveys (zabt) that classified fields by productivity, and the jagirdari system that balanced local autonomy with imperial control. They also discuss Akbar's abolition of the jizya and the impact on non-Muslim…
Akbar's Boyhood: The Regent Bairam Khan and the Second Battle of Panipat
Akbar was just 13 years old when his father Humayun died, leaving a fragile empire to a teenage heir. This episode looks at the critical regency of Bairam Khan, the loyal general who guided young Akbar through the chaos. From the dramatic Second Battle of Panipat in 1556—where Bairam Khan's leadership shattered Hemu Vikramaditya's Hindu kingdom—to the harem politics that ended his regency, we uncover how Akbar's early years shaped the emperor he became. Featuring the roles of Maham Anga, the…
Akbar's Conquest of Bengal: The Fall of Daud Khan Karrani
In 1575, the Mughal Empire turned eastward. This episode follows Akbar's campaign to subdue Bengal, a wealthy but unruly province ruled by the Afghan Karrani dynasty. We trace the lead-up to the decisive Battle of Tukaroi, where the Mughal army—aided by artillery and riverine tactics—defeated Sultan Daud Khan Karrani. Learn about the strategic importance of Bengal's Gangetic delta, the role of Mughal naval forces, and how the victory brought immense wealth but also decades of rebellion. Lucas…
Akbar's Education: The Illiterate Emperor Who Outlearned Everyone
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar the Great's unconventional education. Despite being largely illiterate, Akbar cultivated an insatiable thirst for knowledge through listening and debate. We dive into his early life, the influence of tutors like Mir Abdul Latif Qazvini, and his deep engagement with scholars from Hindu, Jain, Zoroastrian, and Christian traditions. Learn how his method of having texts read aloud and memorized shaped his philosophy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace) and…
Akbar and the Safavids: The Kandahar Question
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar's diplomatic and military maneuvers with the Safavid Empire over the strategic city of Kandahar. From Humayun's exile under Shah Tahmasp to Akbar's bloodless capture in 1595, they trace the shifting alliances, cultural exchanges, and the quiet rivalry that shaped Mughal-Persian relations. Learn about the embassy of Mirza Rustam, the role of Safavid artists at Akbar's court, and how Kandahar became a symbol of Mughal ambition on…
Akbar's Ibadat Khana and the Interfaith Debate
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar the Great's Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) in Fatehpur Sikri. Established in 1575, this was no ordinary mosque – it became the stage for weekly interfaith debates between Sunni and Shia scholars, Sufi mystics, Hindu philosophers like Purushottam, Jain monks like Hira Vijay Suri, Zoroastrian priests, and Jesuit missionaries. We discuss how these discussions shaped Akbar's religious thinking, leading to the controversial Mahzar (decree of…
Akbar's Rajput Marriages: How Alliance Built an Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar's revolutionary policy of marrying Rajput princesses to forge alliances with Hindu kingdoms. From his first marriage to Harka Bai of Amber in 1562 to the rise of Raja Man Singh as a Mughal general, we examine how these unions transformed the Mughal Empire. We discuss the political calculus behind integrating Rajput nobles into the mansabdari system, the cultural fusion that resulted, and the contrast with Mewar's refusal to submit. The episode also…
The Wit of Birbal: Akbar's Favorite Courtier
Step into the court of Emperor Akbar and meet Birbal—the legendary wit who was far more than a folk hero. Historian Lucas and curious co-host Luna explore the real Birbal: his origins as Mahesh Das, a Brahmin poet from humble beginnings; his rise to become one of Akbar's nine gems (navaratnas); his razor-sharp diplomacy that shaped Mughal policy; and his tragic death leading troops against the Yusufzai Afghans in 1586. We separate fact from folklore, examining his literary legacy in Braj Bhasha…
Akbar's Mansabdari System: The Rank That Ruled an Empire
How did Emperor Akbar manage a vast, diverse empire spanning from Afghanistan to Bengal? The answer lies in the mansabdari system—a sophisticated military-civil ranking system that assigned nobles a numerical rank (zat and sawar) determining their salary, military obligations, and standing. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the mechanics of this system: the branding of horses (dagh) and descriptive rolls (chehra) to prevent fraud, the integration of Rajput and Persian nobles into a…
Akbar's Court Musician Tansen and the Birth of Hindustani Classical Music
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the musical genius of Miyan Tansen, one of Akbar's Navaratnas and the most celebrated court musician in Mughal history. They discuss Tansen's early training under Swami Haridas in the Hindu devotional tradition, his conversion from Hinduism to Islam, and his role in synthesizing Persian and Indian musical styles at Akbar's court. The conversation covers the legendary story of Tansen singing Raga Deepak to light oil lamps and Raga Megh to summon rain, the…
Akbar and the Jesuits: The Emperor Who Spoke with Christians
In this episode, we explore Akbar's remarkable curiosity about Christianity and his interactions with Jesuit missionaries from Goa. In 1580, the emperor invited three Jesuit priests to his court at Fatehpur Sikri, sparking a series of theological debates that lasted decades. We discuss Akbar's attendance at Christmas mass, his request for a Persian translation of the Gospels, and the construction of Christian churches in Mughal territories. The episode also covers the Jesuits' own records…
Akbar's Deccan Gambit: Chand Bibi and the Siege of Ahmadnagar
In this episode of Fexingo History, we delve into Akbar's ambitious push into the Deccan and the remarkable story of Chand Bibi, the regent who held the fort of Ahmadnagar against the Mughal army. Lucas and Luna explore the geopolitical landscape of the Deccan sultanates, the daring defense of the fort in 1595-96, the political maneuvering that led to a temporary truce, and the eventual fall in 1600 after Chand Bibi's betrayal and murder. We discuss the roles of Prince Murad, Khan-i-Khanan, and…
Akbar's Diwan-i-Khas: The Hall of Private Audience
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar's Diwan-i-Khas at Fatehpur Sikri, the Hall of Private Audience where the emperor engaged in philosophical debates with scholars of all faiths. They discuss the hall's unique architecture, including the famous central pillar with its radiating bridge-like walkways, and how it symbolized Akbar's policy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace). The conversation covers the Ibadat Khana debates that preceded the hall's construction, the diverse…
Akbar's Siege of Chittor and the Battle of Haldighati
In 1568, Akbar's Mughal army laid siege to the formidable hill fort of Chittor, held by the Rajput kingdom of Mewar. The siege culminated in a jauhar—mass self-immolation—by the Rajput women to avoid capture, and a brutal sack of the fort. Eight years later, the famous Battle of Haldighati pitted Akbar's forces against Maharana Pratap of Mewar. This episode dives into the military tactics, the culture of Rajput resistance, and the emotional aftermath of these conflicts. We discuss the role of…
Akbar's Lost Ambassador The Mysterious Fate of Rahim Das
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the enigmatic story of Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan, Akbar's most trusted general, poet, and diplomat. Born to Bairam Khan, Rahim was raised in the Mughal court after his father's assassination. He served as Akbar's ambassador to the Deccan, led campaigns in Gujarat and Kashmir, and composed exquisite dohas in Braj Bhasha that are still recited today. But his loyalty was tested when he backed Prince Salim's rebellion, and later, under Jahangir, he fell from…
Akbar's Sanskrit Translation Movement: Razmnama and Beyond
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar's ambitious translation project that brought Sanskrit epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana into Persian. They discuss the Razmnama (Book of Wars), the role of translators like Faizi and Abul Fazl, and how this cultural exchange served Akbar's policy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace). The episode also examines the broader translation movement at the Maktab Khana (translation bureau) in Fatehpur Sikri, including works on mathematics, medicine, and…
Akbar's Water Works: The Stepwells That Sustained Fatehpur Sikri
When Emperor Akbar built his new capital at Fatehpur Sikri, he faced an impossible challenge: there was no reliable water source. This episode tells the story of how Mughal engineers solved that problem — by constructing the largest stepwell complex in the subcontinent. We explore the Great Baoli, a five-story subterranean structure cut from living sandstone, and the sophisticated hydraulic systems that channeled rainwater across the city. Lucas and Luna discuss how water management shaped…
Akbar's Great Library: The Translation Movement That United an Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar's imperial library and the massive translation project that brought Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, and Turkish texts together under one roof. Discover how the emperor commissioned versions of the Mahabharata (Razmnama), the Ramayana, the Atharvaveda, and the Panchatantra, overseen by his courtier Abul Fazl and the scholar Faizi. Learn about the Maktab Khana translation bureau at Fatehpur Sikri, the team of Hindu pandits and Muslim scribes who worked…
Akbar's Karkhana: The Imperial Workshops That Crafted an Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the vast network of imperial workshops — the karkhanas — that supplied the Mughal court under Akbar. From the imperial atelier producing miniature paintings like the Hamzanama to the carpet-weaving centers of Lahore and Fatehpur Sikri, they reveal how these state-run manufactories were hubs of innovation, cultural exchange, and economic control. Learn about the master artisans overseen by Khwaja Abdus Samad, the role of Persian and Indian craftsmen, and…
Akbar's Elephant Warfare: The Beasts That Shook an Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the extraordinary role of war elephants in Akbar's Mughal Empire — not as mere beasts of burden but as intelligent, armored weapons that could turn the tide of battle. Drawing on the Akbarnama and accounts from Abul Fazl, they recount how Akbar personally captured a rogue elephant at age 14, and how his karkhana maintained over 1,500 trained pachyderms. They discuss the breeding program in Bengal and Assam, the specialized equipment like howdahs and…
Akbar's Mughal Minting Revolution
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar's unprecedented reorganization of the Mughal minting system. They delve into how the emperor centralized coin production, standardized weights and alloys, and introduced the square-shaped rupee. The conversation covers the role of the dar al-zarb (imperial mint), the career of Muhammad Husayn al-Kashmiri, the design innovations featuring calligraphy and dates in the Ilahi era, and how this monetary overhaul facilitated trade and tax collection…
Akbar's Hunting Expedition That Started a War
In 1567, Mughal Emperor Akbar set out on a hunting expedition to the forests of Mewar. What began as a royal chase for tigers and wild boar quickly turned into the longest and bloodiest siege of his reign: the Siege of Chittor. This episode follows Akbar's decision to target the formidable Chittor Fort, the heart of the Rajput kingdom of Mewar under Maharana Udai Singh II. We explore the military strategy behind Akbar's use of sabats — covered trenches — and the massive mining operations that…
Akbar's Lost Prince: The Rebellion of Prince Salim
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the dramatic rebellion of Prince Salim — later Emperor Jahangir — against his father Akbar. They delve into Salim's early life as the long-awaited heir, his resentment at being sidelined, and the open revolt he launched from Allahabad in 1600. The conversation covers key figures like Abul Fazl, whose murder Salim allegedly orchestrated, and Khusrau Mirza, Salim's own rebellious son. Lucas explains how Akbar's Sulh-i-Kul policy shaped his response…
Akbar's Tandoor Ovens: The Food That Fed an Empire
We all know Akbar the Great as a conqueror and administrator, but what did he eat? In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the culinary world of the Mughal court — from the royal kitchens that employed hundreds of cooks to the invention of tandoor cooking and the lavish feasts of Biryani and Pulao. Discover how Akbar's chefs perfected the use of spices like saffron and cardamom, how the emperor's vegetarian days influenced court menus, and how the legendary dish 'dish of six flavours' (Qaliya)…
Akbar's Pilgrimage Tax Abolition: A Bold Act of Religious Reform
In 1563, Akbar the Great made a stunning decision: he abolished the pilgrimage tax on Hindus visiting sacred sites like Mathura and Vrindavan. Then he went further, removing the jizya tax on non-Muslims entirely. This episode unpacks the motivations behind these reforms—part political strategy, part genuine intellectual evolution. We explore the background of the taxes, the resistance from orthodox Muslim clerics, the role of Akbar's Rajput allies and his chief minister Raja Todar Mal, and how…
Akbar's Kashmir Conquest The Mughal Emperor Who Found Paradise
In 1586, the Mughal Emperor Akbar set his sights on the beautiful and strategically vital valley of Kashmir. This episode follows the dramatic campaign led by Raja Man Singh and the decisive battle that brought the region under Mughal control. We explore the motives behind the conquest — from protecting trade routes to Akbar's personal love of the landscape — and the administrative and cultural changes that followed. Discover how the valley's unique geography shaped its defense, how local…
Akbar's Portuguese Alliance: How the Mughals Tamed the Indian Ocean
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar's masterful diplomacy with the Portuguese Estado da Índia. While earlier episodes covered his military campaigns and religious experiments, here we dive into how the Mughal emperor navigated the complex world of Indian Ocean trade and European gunpowder empires. Lucas explains the 1572 alliance negotiated by Abul Fazl's father, Shaikh Mubarak, which secured Portuguese safe-conduct passes (cartazes) for Mughal ships—but at the cost of tolerating…
Akbar's Copper Coin Reform and Economic Transformation
After decades of war and diplomacy, Emperor Akbar turned his attention to the economy. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the Mughal emperor's copper coin reform — introducing the standardised 'dam' — unified a vast and diverse empire. Drawing on the Ain-i-Akbari and the work of Muhammad Husayn al-Kashmiri, they discuss the challenges of medieval currency, the role of the dar al-zarb (mint), and how the new Ilahi era dating system tied coins to imperial ideology. They also touch on the…
Akbar's Rajput Alliance The Wives Who Shaped an Empire
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore a personal and political side of Akbar's reign: his marriages to Rajput princesses and how these alliances transformed the Mughal Empire. They focus on two key queens—Mariam-uz-Zamani (a Rajput princess from Amber) and the lesser-known Rajput wife of Akbar's, whose family ties secured crucial loyalty. The conversation covers the rituals of Rajput marriage alliances, the political calculus behind them, and how these women wielded…
Akbar's Mansabdari System: The Imperial Bureaucracy That Held an Empire Together
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna peel back the curtain on Akbar's ingenious Mansabdari system — the military-administrative hierarchy that ranked every Mughal official from prince to peasant, assigned them a precise number of cavalry, and paid them in jagirs. They trace how this Persian-inspired structure, reformed by Akbar and codified by Abul Fazl in the Ain-i-Akbari, created a flexible, loyal corps of mansabdars who could be deployed anywhere in the empire. But they also…
Akbar's Bengal Campaign: The Conquest That Changed the Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar's military campaign to conquer Bengal in the 1570s, a pivotal moment that transformed the Mughal Empire from a North Indian power into a pan-subcontinental force. They discuss the strategic importance of Bengal's wealth and geography, the role of the Afghan Karrani dynasty under Daud Khan Karrani, and the decisive Battle of Tukaroi in 1575. The conversation also covers Akbar's controversial policy of conciliation after victory, the rebellion of his…
Akbar's Jesuit Missionaries: The Emperor Who Invited Christians to His Court
In 1580, three Jesuit priests from Goa arrived at Fatehpur Sikri at the invitation of Emperor Akbar. This episode explores the fascinating story of the Mughal-Jesuit encounters: Akbar's reasons for inviting Christian missionaries, the three missions that took place between 1580 and 1605, the debates at the Ibadat Khana, the Jesuits' influence on Mughal art and culture, and the ultimate failure to convert the emperor. We discuss Father Rodolfo Acquaviva's mission, Akbar's open-minded curiosity…
Akbar's Cartaz System: Challenging Portuguese Sea Power
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Akbar's ambitious but overlooked naval strategy: his challenge to the Portuguese Estado da Índia and their cartaz permit system. When the Portuguese demanded that Mughal ships buy passes and pay duties at Diu, Akbar refused — sending a Mughal fleet to Surat in 1572 and later building a navy. The episode covers the 1572 Battle of Surat, the role of the Ottoman admiral Seydi Ali Reis, the failed Mughal-Portuguese alliance of 1573, and Akbar's dispatch of an…
Akbar's Jain Diplomacy: Nonviolence and Empire
Long before the Din-i Ilahi, Akbar engaged deeply with Jain monks who walked from Gujarat to Fatehpur Sikri. In 1582, the emperor debated with Jain ascetics, leading to surprising policy changes: restrictions on animal slaughter, release of caged birds, and a ban on cow killing. Lucas and Luna explore the 1584 meeting between Akbar and the Jain monk Hiravijayasuri, who convinced the emperor to stop hunting and reduce meat eating. They examine how Jain ideas of ahimsa influenced Mughal law, the…
Akbar's Coin Reform: How the Dam Unified Mughal India
In 1575, Akbar introduced a new copper coin called the dam, replacing a chaotic mix of regional currencies. This episode follows the redesign of Mughal money—how the emperor's mint at Fatehpur Sikri churned out millions of standardized coins, how the Ilahi calendar appeared on every dam, and how this currency helped knit together a vast empire from Kabul to Bengal. We meet the Persian calligrapher Muhammad Husayn al-Kashmiri, who designed the coinage, and explore the economic impact of the dam…
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