Akbar’s Maktab Khana: SSC CGL Notes

Maktab Khana , the Translation Bureau was the cornerstone of Akbar’s “Sulh-i-Kul” (Universal Peace). Established in 1574 at Fatehpur Sikri, this department aimed to bridge the cultural chasm between the ruling Mughal elite and the Indian masses by translating Sanskrit epics and Greek philosophies into Persian.

Key Projects and Scholars

Under the supervision of Abul Fazl and Faizi, the bureau undertook monumental tasks. The most significant was the Razmnama (Book of War), a Persian translation of the Mahabharata. Akbar commissioned these works to ensure his officers understood the ethos of the people they governed, thereby reducing religious friction.

• Sanskrit to Persian: Ramayana, Atharva Veda, and Bhaskara II’s mathematical treatise, Lilavati.
• Greek/Other: Works of Aristotle and various Arabic scientific texts.

Read: Jhangir Notes for SSC CGL

Impact of Maktab Khana on Governance and Art

The Translation Department catalyzed the Indo-Islamic style of painting. Each manuscript was lavishly illustrated by Persian and Indian artists working side-by-side, creating a visual language as syncretic as the text. For SEO purposes, it’s vital to note that this department transformed Persian from a foreign court language into a medium of Indian intellectual discourse, solidifying the Mughal Empire’s legitimacy as a truly Indian power.