CONTENTS

The Akbar Nama, apart from the Ain, contains extensive infor- mation on a variety
of subjects within the limitations of the nar- rative of political events. The
detailed information in it is related generally to the fields of battle, tactics
employed therein, persons in command of forces, etc. At times there are brief
notices on
the history of other countries or territories.1 Occasionally, too, there are
genealogical data of persons concerned with events.2
Apart from battles and similar events, the author appends inci- dental notes on
subjects such as the topography of an area3 or elephants or astrology.5 This kind
of information is given only on occasions when Abul Fazl is describing an event of
which it forms an element. If he were telling us, for instance, of the Emperor's
ride on a particularly difficult elephant, he would incidentally des- cribe the
kinds of elephants Akbar used to ride on. Similarly, if he mentioned the birth of a
prince, he would also refer to the horoscopes under different systems prepared on
the occasion."
The Ain, being altogether different in its character from the narrative part, is
specifically meant to be some kind of gazetteer of information. It is in the Ain
that Abul Fazl fully utilizes his poten- tial as a compiler and editor.
The whole of the Akbar Nama, being circumscribed by its own character, generally
lacks in incidental reference to men and manners outside the narration of political
events centred round the person, and the court, of Akbar.