Posted:
Father or parent of century award in 16th century should be hands down handed to Akbar(going by portrayal of Akbar in JA)
What a great father cum mother Akbar is oh yes he is both combined together
There are a few incidents that portray he deserves this award
1) The death defying leg breaking leap he jumped to run and save Rahim as he was clinging to dear life and fell off the parapet(Nigar time)
For those unaware: Once khurram had fallen from agra fort parapet and Salim ran and saved him in nick of time. He was under ruqaiah's care at that time.
2) Jalal discovering that Bakshi baby has an issue when her mother and father could not figure out
3) Jalal treating kids so lovingly whether one who came to court or brought to palace by Jodha
4) The ease with which he becomes a kid with kids- rare quality in men especially men like an emperor
Many times I feel more than his wives, sisters, mothers etc whom we expect to be more child friendly and understanding its Akbar who understands them much better. And kids run to him like a magnet attracting them be it Jos sisters, orphans, destitute kids or other kids. This is a very rare quality in anyone both men and woman especially a man a emperor in 16th century
And mind you his sheiku baba is not yet born this is with other kids who are not his own.
I had read in a book that Jehangir loved kids and once stopped in Delhi his entourage and played Goli(I am not sure what its called in English) with common kids on streets and brought them sweets etc and took them on his elephant for ride. Akbar too loved kids a lot it seems and this kind of bonding in 16th century is very rare especially men. With kids you have to leave your ego, power, position everything and get down to their level. That is a tough job especially for an emperor. Kids do not love anyone easily you cannot bribe them or order them they love whom they want to love. And dreaded warriors who can kill without blink in war field finding it so easy to make friends with kids is a surprise and rare quality.
