Akbar's Celestial Blueprint Decoding the Horoscopes of a Mughal Emperor
Published on 5/28/2024
The Akbarnama, the official chronicle of Emperor Akbar's reign penned by his trusted advisor Abu'l Fazl, is far more than a simple historical record. It is a grand narrative woven with philosophy, theology, and, notably, astrology. Abu'l Fazl dedicates significant space to the celestial charts cast at Akbar's birth, viewing them not merely as predictions, but as divine blueprints reflecting the Emperor's unique destiny and greatness. This wasn't just courtly flattery; it was a serious engagement with the knowledge systems of the time to understand and legitimize a world-altering ruler.
The Stars Align: Multiple Perspectives
Abu'l Fazl presents several horoscopes for Akbar, drawn up by different experts using various traditions and astronomical tables. We encounter the charts prepared by Maulana Cand and Amir Fathu-l-lah of Shiraz, based on Greek and Ilkhani tables, and one by Jotik Rai, following Indian astrological methods. The very inclusion of these diverse approaches highlights the intellectual environment of Akbar's court, where different streams of knowledge converged.
Intriguingly, these horoscopes didn't entirely agree. A key point of divergence was the Ascendant (the zodiacal sign rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth, considered crucial for personality and destiny). The Greek/Persian charts often pointed to Virgo, while the Indian one indicated Leo.
Abu'l Fazl addresses this discrepancy, discussing potential astronomical reasons like the precession of the equinoxes, which caused the apparent position of constellations to shift over centuries. However, he ultimately leans towards a more profound explanation: divine wisdom and jealousy (hikmat-i-ilāhī and ghairat-i-ilāhī). The truth of Akbar's celestial destiny, he suggests, was deliberately veiled in contradiction to remain hidden from the unworthy, only fully comprehensible to the truly enlightened.
Reading the Celestial Map: Predictions and Portents
Despite the differences in the Ascendant, the interpretations across the horoscopes converged on Akbar's extraordinary nature. The placement of planets within the twelve Houses (representing different areas of life like wealth, family, enemies, etc.) and their Aspects (angular relationships between planets) were meticulously analyzed.
According to the Greek/Persian readings, placements like Mercury (lord of the Virgo Ascendant) near Jupiter (the Greater Fortune) in the Second House (wealth, sustenance) predicted Akbar's sharp intellect, administrative prowess, and the easy acquisition of wealth and territory. Venus (the Lesser Fortune) in the Ascendant promised joy, pleasure, and virtuous companions. Mars in Capricorn (his exaltation) in the Fifth House (children, creativity) signified victorious armies and capable sons. Saturn, though often seen as malefic, being in his exaltation in Libra and well-placed, indicated lasting sovereignty, secure treasures, and control over servants.
The Indian horoscope, with its Leo Ascendant (ruled by the Sun), emphasized Akbar's inherent supremacy and victory over rivals. The conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in the Second House pointed to his guidance in arts and sciences. The placement of the Sun, Saturn, and Mercury in the Third House (brethren, allies) was interpreted to mean his brothers would be overshadowed, while loyal friends would be elevated. The concept of nuhbahr (dividing signs into nine parts) and planetary aspects to the Moon even led to a prediction of ruling over 22 kingdoms – a fascinating detail that speaks to the ambition projected onto the Emperor, even if the historical reality differed slightly in number.
Specific details, like the mention of "scorpion kinsmen" (aqārib-i-aqārib) linked to the Third House and Saturn's influence, resonate with historical events, such as the troublesome behavior of Akbar's maternal uncle, Khwaja Mu'azzam.
Beyond Superstition: Legitimacy and Divine Will
The inclusion of these detailed horoscopes in the Akbarnama was not mere astrological curiosity. In the cultural context of the Mughal court, where Persian, Indian, and Islamic intellectual traditions mingled, astrology was a respected discipline, a tool for understanding the cosmos and its influence on earthly affairs. By presenting Akbar's birth as heralded by auspicious celestial configurations, Abu'l Fazl was crafting a narrative of divine legitimacy. Akbar's greatness, his just rule, his conquests, and even his unique spiritual insights were portrayed as written in the stars, part of a cosmic plan unfolding through this "unique pearl" of creation.
Abu'l Fazl concludes that regardless of the technical discrepancies, all the horoscopes ultimately agreed on Akbar's unparalleled spiritual and temporal eminence. This consensus, derived from different systems, served to reinforce the idea that Akbar was a truly exceptional, divinely favored ruler.
Preserving the Past, Understanding the Present
Today, we may view astrology differently, but studying these sections of the Akbarnama offers invaluable insights into the worldview of the Mughal era. It shows how history, cosmology, and destiny were intertwined, and how rulers sought validation not just through military might but also through intellectual and spiritual frameworks. Preserving and analyzing these texts allows us to appreciate the complex tapestry of knowledge that shaped one of the world's great empires and understand the diverse ways people have sought to find meaning in the patterns of the universe.
These celestial charts, once read to predict a king's fate, now serve as a window into the mind of a historian and the culture of a court that looked to the heavens for answers.