Evening star., 1904-03-12

the best men that ever wore a crown. He
was great in every respect; he was great
as soldier, great as a jurist, great as an
executive, broad-minded, generous, benevo-
lent, tolerant and wise-an almost perfect
type of a ruler, If we are to believe what
the historians of his time tell us about
him. He was the handsomest man in his
empire; he excelled all his subjects in ath-
letic exercise, in endurance and in physical
strength and skill He was the best swords
man and the best horseman and his power
over animals was as complete as over men,
And as an architect he stands unrivaled ex-
cept by his grandson who inherited his
taste.
Although a pagan and without the light
of the gospel, Akbar recognized the merits
OF Christianity and exemplfed the ideals
of civil and religious liberty which 1T
teaches, and which are now considered the
highest attribute of a well-ordered state.
While Queen Elizabeth was sending her
Catholic subjects to the scaffold and the
rack, while Philip II was endeavOrng to
ransom the souls of heretics from perdition
by burning their bodies alive in the public
piazas OF ms cltles, and while the awful
incident of st. Bartholomew Indicated the
religious condition of France the great
mogul of Delhi called around his throne
ministers of peace from all religions pro-
freedom of worship and theological contro-
versy throughout his dominions; he abOl-
ished certain Hindu practices such as
trials by ordeal, child marriage, the burn
have since been revived, Because he con-
sidered them contrary to justice, good
morals and the welfare of his people, and
displayed cosmopolitan spirit by marry
Ing wives from the BralnAin, Buddhist,
Mohammedan and Christian faiths. He in
vited the Catholic priests, who were enjoy
ing great success at Goa the Portuguese
colony 200 miles south from Bbmbay, to
come to Agra and expound their doctrines,
and gave them land and nSeneyfto build a
church. His grandson and successor mar
ried Catholic queen-a Portuguese prin-
cess
But Notwithstanding thee1iusti; generous
and noble life of Akbar, he was overthrown
by his own son, Selim. wh6otooN the high
sounding title Jehanghir. "conqueror of the
world, and he had been efeigning but a
short time when his own son, KuShru, en-
deavored to treat him in the same manner.
The revolt was promptly quelled. Seven
hundred of the supporters Or the young
prince were impaled in row, and that
reckless youth was conducted slowly along
the line so that he could hear the dying
reproaches of the victims of his misguided
ambition. Other of his sons also organized
rebellions afterward and "the conqueror Of
the world had considerable difficulty In re-
tanning his seat upon the throne, but he
proved TO be very good king He was
just ana tolerant, sober and dignified and
scrupulous in observing the requirements
of his position. and was entirely subject to
the influence of beautiful and brilliant
wife.
A Romantic Figure
His successor was Shah Jehan, one of the
most interesting and romantic figures in In
| dian history, who began his reign by MUIR
dering his brothers. That precaution firmly
| established him upon the throne. He, too.
| was considered good King but his fame
rests chiefly upo,; the snieo,,or. f,f his court