Miyamoto Musashi

Miyamoto Musashi was a multifaceted individual who contributed to various fields, including martial
arts, philosophy, and art. He was a renowned sword master, strategist, artist, and Buddhist who
authored a book titled "The Book of Five Rings," which is considered a manual for martial arts lovers.
The book emphasizes the importance of teaching martial arts and its pragmatic perspective.

Musashi's school, the "School of Two Skies," is based on the concept of two swords. While it
symbolizes the practical fighting technique of using two swords, it also represents universal virtues
and human behavior. His fighting doctrine focuses on training the weak hand, which helps in dealing
with multiple enemies.

One of the key takeaways from Musashi's teachings is that death is a common and inevitable event.
Unlike popular beliefs, warriors do not only think about being ready to die. Instead, warriors should
embrace the way of life, Bushido, like a merchant, painter, or poet. Musashi believes in the Zen
ideology of being one with knowledge and life, which he applies to warriors' way of life.

Musashi explains the four social classes in his book - farmers, artisans, merchants, and warriors. As a
carpenter, he compares the master warriors' life with that of a master carpenter. Both have in-depth
knowledge of their jobs and employ people based on that knowledge. The more a master warrior
trains their students, the more master warriors they will have in their group.

Musashi's book comprises five scrolls - Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Emptiness. The Earth scroll
emphasizes the importance of martial arts education, while Water talks about fighting multiple
enemies and consuming knowledge like the fluidity of water. Fire focuses on the awareness required
during fights, considering the incredible speed of events. Wind talks about knowing both oneself and
the enemy, as advised by Sun Tzu. Lastly, Emptiness suggests that one should learn so much that
knowledge becomes a way of life.

Musashi's book is not only a guide for martial arts enthusiasts but also a philosophical masterpiece.
His teachings emphasize the importance of embracing one's profession, becoming a master of it, and
sharing that knowledge. Musashi's book teaches one to think and act pragmatically, understanding
the inevitability of death and accepting it as a part of life. It also inspires one to approach life like a
warrior, embracing the Bushido way of life.

In conclusion, Miyamoto Musashi's "The Book of Five Rings" is a significant contribution to martial
arts literature, philosophy, and art. Musashi's pragmatic approach towards martial arts education and
way of life sets his book apart from other martial arts manuals. His teachings about accepting death,
embracing one's profession, and sharing knowledge are timeless and apply to various aspects of life.
Overall, Musashi's book is a must-read for anyone interested in martial arts, philosophy, and self-
improvement.
Akbarname

Akbarname is an important biographical text of Akbar, written by Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak, grand vizier,
and advisor of Akbar in the 16th century. The book consists of three parts; birth, history of Akbar’s
family and his reign, and administration systems, geography, state traditions, and culture. Both Abu'l-
Fazl and Akbar were well-educated in Islamic philosophy that can be seen throughout the
Akbarname's religious and philosophical debates.

The historical context of the Mughal Empire is essential to understand the significance of the
Akbarname. During the Mughal Empire, there was a policy of religious universalism that tried to unite
people of different faiths. While the Ottomans and Safavids were at war, Mughals were busy ruling
the empire and attracting people of different religious cults. The Akbarname tried to create an
identity of Akbar being a universal emperor, and Abu'l-Fazl created a specific cult called Din-i İlahi to
promote the same.

The Mughal Empire had a House of Worship that included Hindus, Sufis, Shias, Sunnis, Jews,
Zoroastrians, and Roman-Catholic Christians. Akbar was known as a wise king, among his other titles
like His Majesty, Shahenshah, Shadow of God, Prince of Horizons, and Caliph. However, Sunni-minded
people who were not happy with the religious universalism accursed Akbar of being Christian. In the
religious debate, Akbar took the Shi’a side and gave bureaucratic positions to Christians, Jews, and
Shiites, which led to Sunni's anger as they lost their political positions.

The Akbarname highlights the religious and philosophical debates of the 16th century in the Mughal
Empire. The text denotes the significance of religious acceptance, tolerance, and co-existence of
people of different faiths. Akbar and Abu'l-Fazl's understanding of religious philosophy is evident
through their policies and actions. They tried to unite people of different faiths under one umbrella,
which is fundamental in today's world where people of different religions are often at odds with each
other. The Mughal policy of religious universalism is an excellent example of peaceful co-existence
and mutual harmony, which is essential for a harmonious society.

In conclusion, the Akbarname is an important biographical text that demonstrates the religious and
philosophical debates of the 16th century in the Mughal Empire. The book showcases the significance
of religious tolerance and how it can create a harmonious society. The Mughal policy of religious
universalism is an excellent model to follow in today's world to resolve religious differences and
promote peaceful co-existence. Therefore, the Akbarname holds unique importance in world history
and should be studied and read by individuals interested in religious philosophy and interfaith
harmony.
Mustafa Ali

Gelibolulu Mustafa Ali was a prominent historian, poet, and diplomat from Turkey during the 16th
century. His notable contribution to literature includes chronicles, biographies, and etiquette books.
However, his works reflect his criticism of Ottoman society and the palace system. He was disturbed
by the nepotism prevailing in the palace and the lack of skill and merit-based appointments. Mustafa
Ali was also critical of the social mobility that allowed lower-class people to hold positions in the
military, causing instability among social classes. Additionally, he disapproved of "city boys" who were
lower-class men seeking to infiltrate the Kul Corps and survive in the cities through prostitution and
apprenticeships.

During the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire witnessed significant urbanization movements, with a
vast number of people migrating to towns, including Constantinople. As a result, the distinction
between the two social classes of the Ottoman Empire, reaya and askeri, began to blur. Esnaf
Janissaries emerged, causing fierce competition among them. On the other hand, the Janissaries
were tax-free as they were exempt from paying taxes, influencing their pricing strategy and affecting
the competition among Esnafs.

Moreover, the new way of life in the Ottoman Empire gave birth to various daily activities, such as
gatherings in coffeehouses, meyhanes, and bozahanes, leading to different social behaviors. Mustafa
Ali's criticism of the social mobility of lower-class people and the infiltration of the askeri group into
reaya might be due to these new social behaviors.

In conclusion, Mustafa Ali's literary works highlight his criticism of Ottoman society and the palace
system's nepotism, social mobility, and city boys. His works reflect the changes in the Ottoman
Empire as a result of urbanization, which allowed individuals to interact and establish new social
behaviors, leading to Mustafa Ali's discontent. Despite this, his works remain essential in
understanding the Ottoman Empire's historical, literary and societal changes during the 16th century.