Originally posted by: myviewprem
It is again a myth that Akbar learned about various religions because he was taught by his hindu wife and became more tolerant. Akbar was always interested in philosophy from before. He was brought up in Rewa palace and his best friend was Prince Ram Singh I of Rewa. Akbar was appointed same tutors as Ram Singh but he could not read/write as much as teachers tried. When Akbar was young(before marrying jodha) he learnt about Meera Bai from Tansen and went to mewar to listen to her bhajans in krishna mandir inside the fort in disguise. Tansen was that time in court of his childhood friend Ram Singh I. Akbar was so mermerised and lost himself in her bhajan that he gifted her his necklace which he placed at feet of Lord Krishna as per her wish.
Akbar even visited Allahabad-prayag with his friend Ram Singh I and after that wanted to drink water from only ganges river all life. So the fact that he became tolerant after marrying hira kunwari was just a myth created by people. He was always inclined to philosophy just that since Maham anag and Bairam khan handled power he could not begin his broad minded reforms earlier. But he was always open minded from childhood and liked philosophy. The only class that Akbar attended without bunking in childhood was philosophy.
It was a coincidence that he married Hira Bia and both Biaram Khan and maham anga went out of his life same time and he became independent to bring liberal views into affect. Jiyaza the tax on other religious pilgrimage was also abolished because Prince Ram Singh I his childhood friend requested him to abolish it as it was causing inconvience to all citizens(of Rewa). Yes Akbar became more liberal after marrying Hira Kunwari but the credit lies with his childhood friend whom Akbar was very close all life. Akbar who never went to any function of Rajput relatives(wives family) attended his friend and his sister's weddings although was adviced that it may be risky to go there as threat to life from other kings. Akbar considered Ram Singh more than a brother and the citizens of Rewa were never threatened by mughal forces.
Similarly Ram Singh I was always invited for any ocassions of Akbar and his family be it wedding, funeral etc. Ram Singh was appointed foster father to his son and daughters which itself showed how much he trusted him. Only Akbar's foster parents and brothers could have lunch with him along with few trusted minsiters ocassionally. None of the rajputs ate with him exception being Ram Singh I and his family. Indeed the only members allowed into Akbar's harem(men) was Ram Singh I and not Man Singh as shown in serial. Akbar who had not allowed Adham Khan and Sharifuddin in harem allowed Ram Singh to the harem. He was so close and trusted his friend and his family very much. Its much later that he started trusting Man Singh and jodha's family. The ulemma who often made issue on Jodha and his other hindu wives in court dared not speak against Ram Singh as they knew Akbar would not tolerate a word against his childhood friend and his family.
Indeed Jehangir who had a bad temper, would not listen to anyone after becoming emperor he still allowed rewa kings to rule independently as under akbar. It was because of Akbar's relation with Ram Singh I.
The problem is many people want to romaticize history and hence they link Akbar's liberal policy to Hira Kunwari marrying him.
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
