The Akbarnama of Abu'l Fazl (Three Volumes)

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The late Henry Beveridge, ICS took over two decades for the completion of the final volume of English translation of Akbar Nama. On being assigned the task by the Asiatic Society of Bengal in the year 1897 he started his work. He, however, expressed his desire not to do the complete translation but suggested that he should take up editing the manuscript version by Leutenant Chalmers which was duly accepted by the authorities of the then Asiatic Society of Bengal. After he started the work in 1897 the translations were trickling out in prints in fascicles. The first eight fascicles were published in 1907 as the first volume. The second volume with seven fascicles and the third one with fourteen fascicles along with index came out in succession. Beveridge ultimately completed his translation in 1921. It took some more time for correction, revision, preparation of List of Contents, Abbreviations and Additional Errata and Addenda to the Index. But thereafter the publication was delayed for several reasons. It was, however, the initiative of Dr. Baini Prashad to complete the work and to publish the volume finally in 1939.

It is almost after a gap of 60 years, the Society has again taken initiative in bringing out Beveridge's translation of Akbar Nama in a consolidated and comprehensive manner.

This is much sought after publication since Allamah Abul Fazl's Akbar Nama always retains its fascination for its minute account of the customs and traditions of the people of India during the reign of Akbar, the ablest of the Mughal emperors, who has been so much extolled by historians for his sagacious statesmanship, dexterous diplomacy and military skill. The historical importance of this publication is further enhanced by the fact that its author was Akbar's intimate friend and confidential adviser and, therefore, had access to first hand information. The present three volumes are the reprints of our earlier publication under Bibliotheca Indica Series. It covers the period from 1542 to 1605 AD. The introduction, various explanatory notes etc. from Beveridge and the Index have also been retained in their original style.

I hope that the scholarly world will find the reprinted volumes helpful. Handy and worthy of preservation.