The Young Akbar 

GLOSSARY

 

WORD                                                           MEANING

1. Succeeded                                              1. Sat on the throne                                    

2. Eager                                                        2. Willing

3. Kept ears and eyes open                      3. Remained alert

4. Remarkable                                             4. Great, extraordinary

5. Foster brother                                        5. Step brother

6. Deal with                                                 6. Manage

7. Suspect                                                     7. To have doubt about

8. Fond of                                                     8. Having liking for

9. Seize                                                          9. To have by force

10. Rumors                                                   10. False statement or news

11. Audience                                                11. Group of people listening

12. Turned red with anger                        12. Became angry, furious

 

Short answers type questions

 

■ Q1 what was the name of Akbar’s father?

■ Humayun

■ Q2 How old was Akbar when he ascended the throne?

■ Thirteen

■ Q3 Who controlled the affairs of state?

■ Bairam Khan

■ Q4 Who was Adham Khan?

■ Akbar’s foster brother

■ Q5 What unique quality did Akbar have?

■ A remarkable memory for facts.

■ Q6 What did Akbar ask Adham Khan to do at the durbar?

■ To bring his charge against Bairam Khan

■ Q7 What did Bairam Khan do with the letters?

■ He burned them

■ Q8 To whom were the letters to be sent?

■ To some of the neighboring rulers.

 

ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS

 

■ Q1 Give a brief character sketch of Akbar?

■ Ans. Akbar succeeded his father, emperor Humayun at the age of thirteen. He was sport loving and fond of hunting trips. Akbar was a very wise ruler. He kept his eyes and ears open. He had a remarkable memory and was very tactful. He knew about Bairam Khan’s disloyalty but he kept silent. He needed his service so he handled him very tactfully. Seeing this Bairam Khan mended himself when he realised how wise Akbar was.

 

■ Q2. How did Akbar deal with the charge brought against Bairam Khan at the durbar? What effect did it have on Bairam Khan?

■ Ans. The charges against Bairam Khan were that he was supplying arms and money to the neighbouring rulers and he also wanted to seize the kingdom. Akbar dealt with the situation very wisely. The charges were put forward by Adham Khan. Akbar pretended not to believe the charges against Bairam Khan in the court. Akbar’s loyal men rushed toward Bairam Khan with drawn swords. They wanted to kill him for his disloyalty but Akbar held out his arm and saved Bairam Khan. This incident created a great influence on Bairam Khan. He realised how wise Akbar was. Finally, Bairam Khan burnt all the letters he was going to send to his fellow conspirators. He wrote fresh letters to them and advised them to remain loyal to Akbar.

Akbar

 

1. 13 years old when he succeeded his father Humayun

2. Not interested in state affairs

3. Not interested to learn and write

4. Interested only in hunting and sports

5. Had a remarkable memory

 

Bairam khan

He was Akbar’s Chief Minister and Commander-in Chief All orders were given by him in Akbar’s name

 

Adham khan Akbar’s foster brother

 

Akbar asked Adham khan to join him to hunting trip the next day. He asked him to be ready with elephants and horses at 6’o clock in the morning.

Bairam khan came to ask Akbar for how long his majesty intends to be away. Akbar answered ten days or a fortnight.

■ Akbar asked, “Why do you want to know this?”

■ Adham khan,” The representatives from neighbouring kingdoms are coming to discuss important matters”.

■ Akbar,” You can deal with them and if necessary let them wait till I return”

■ Adham khan came to Akbar when the hunting was about to end.

■ He says, “I suspect the conduct and intentions of Bairam Khan. He pretends to be loyal but is fond of power, and perhaps intends to seize your kingdom.”

■ Akbar,” Do you have any proof?”

■ Adham khan,” Yes, he keeps in touch with neighbouring states and send them money and arms regularly.”

■ Akbar,” Can you say that in the durbar?”

■ Adham khan,” Yes if necessary.”

 

Next day in Durbar.

Adham khan levelled charges against Bairam khan, the Chief Minister.

He said,” Should such a person live?”

Several persons in Durbar shouted that he should not live and should die for this disloyalty. Some of them took out their swords and ran towards Bairam khan.

Akbar stopped them and Durbar was closed.

In his room Bairam Khan burnt the letters one by one which he was going to send to the neighbouring states.

He wrote fresh letters and asked all of them to stand LOYALLY by the emperor. He understood how wise Akbar was. He also understood that he was not just a sport loving, pleasure seeking young man.

This way Akbar saved loyalty of Bairam khan as he no longer dared to rise against the king.

■ Akbar called Adham Khan and told him that he knew this before even Adham Khan had told him. He pretended as he never wanted Bairam khan to rise against him and he succeeded in his work.

■ “Long live the King”, Adham Khan said.