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Today, there is no need for a take 5 ... While I loved the nok jhok between Jodha and Jalal, there is only one thing that mattered : Jalal officially being declared as Akbar by his Awaam and Jodha's overflowing pride and love in reaction.
Yes, it was understated. And I loved it for being understated as it reflects Jalal's own character ... He has never celebrated his own accomplishments and always gives to credit to those around him ... This was the best way he could have become Akbar. And even now he did not celebrate it as an award, but accepted as a greater responsibility as a Shehenshah. That is the marking of a magnificent leader. 👏
So, as we come around to one year of our journey of Jodha Akbar, today we finally have our Akbar and I have a special take 5 on Jalal's journey to become Akbar:
(1) Jalal listened: Jalal always listened to what those around him had to say ... He took everyone's opinions whether it was Jodha, Maham Anga, Hamida Bano, Atgah Khan, Todarmal, and the list goes on ... He deserves credit for recognizing who to listen to and for what.
Even today, he wanted to hear the grievances of the Muslim Awaam and hear why they were disgruntled when he easily could have let Atgah Khan silence them.
(2) Jalal investigated: Motivated by what he heard, Jalal would go a step further and always investigate it with his own eyes, whether it was the ills of child marriage, the impacts of corruption, or the burden of the pilgrimage tax.
He truly wanted to be connected with his Awaam and their challenges ... And that is why he wanted to celebrate with his Awaam the special day he became Shehenshah.
(3) Jalal created a vision: He took the issues he heard and investigated and canvassed a grand vision to solve them throughout the sultanate.
He took the matter of Tasneem's wedding and expanded it to abolishing child marriage
What started as a problem in the harem, expanded to abolishing slavery throughout the Sultanate
What started as an issue on taxes and corruption, became the landmark abolishment of the pilgrimage tax
It takes an open, great, and knowledgable mind to break the boundaries of time and tradition to draft change and execute it. And this vision is what truly made him Akbar! 👏
(4) Jalal stood up to opposition: And not only did he develop his vision, but he knew how to execute it and defend it against opposition. As a Shehenshah he could have just implemented the change, but he wanted people to truly accept it and take them along.
Till date, I still love his words when he defended the abolishment of the pilgrimage tax in the DEK ... That defense continued today in front of his awaam.
I loved how he explained beautifully the meaning of the coin and the unity of Hindu and Muslims to him today ... How the grains, the weather, the rivers , not even God differentiates across people ... How he as the Shehenshah could not differentiate. All his Awaam were one in front of him. 👏
And in return, he received the greatest acceptance, not only from his Muslim subjects, but his Hindu subjects, who understood his tradition, and recognizing him as "Akbar." ⭐️
(5) Jalal gave credit to those around him: Humility is the greatest mark of greatness and despite all his accomplishments Jalal always gave credit to those around him for their role in his accomplishments.
This showed up beautifully in his scene as he was crowned by Salima Begum and he expressed gratitude to Bairam Khan.
And after this journey we have witnessed of Jalal becoming Akbar, we feel the same pride as Jodha. If there is something that gave me as much happiness as Jalal being declared Akbar, it was Jodha's pride, love, and apnapan when she said "I love you so much ... Humare Akbar." It was so beautiful and personal. 😳
So, what were your thoughts on this beautiful episode?
Bindi
Udne Ki Aasha
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
