Primary sourceBook1580s-1593/1594
Tarikh-i Alfi
1580s-1593/1594
A Persian universal history of the Islamic world's first millennium, commissioned by Akbar to mark the year 1591 and present himself as a messianic ruler.
Akbar commissioned this millennial history, which presented him as the culminating, almost messianic figure of Islamic history.
About this source
What it is
The Tarikh-i Alfi, or "History of a Thousand", is a Persian history compiled over about twelve years at Akbar's court, commissioned in the 1580s ahead of the Islamic millennium beginning in 1591. It covers Islamic political history from the death of the Prophet Muhammad to Akbar's own reign, written by a changing team of scholars including Naqib Khan, Mulla Ahmad Thattavi and Jafar Beg, coordinated by the courtier Abul Fazl. Only a small number of pages survive from a deluxe illustrated copy likely made for Akbar himself.
Why it matters
The text placed Akbar at the end of a thousand-year Islamic history, presenting him as the ruler who would usher in a new age — a clear expression of his self-image as a world-historical, almost messianic figure. The project also reveals the diversity of scholars, Sunni and Shi'ite, Persian and Indian, working together at his court.
Look closer
- Why would a ruler want a history book to end with himself as its culmination?
- What does the involvement of scholars from different religious backgrounds tell you about Akbar's court?
- What might be exaggerated or left out in a history commissioned by the ruler it praises?
This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Akbar the Great on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
More Akbar the Great sources
Meet the AI Akbar the Great →
Ready when you are
Start chatting with Akbar the Great now.
20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.