The second volume
Explanation
The Akbar Nama (Book of Akbar) is the official chronicle of the reign of Akbar, commissioned by the Emperor himself and authored by his court historian and close friend, Abu’l-Fazl. It was written in Persian and is considered one of the most detailed sources of Mughal history.
Structure of the Akbar Nama:
The work is divided into three distinct volumes (books):
- The First Volume: This volume deals with Akbar’s ancestors. It begins with Adam and traces the lineage through the Timurid dynasty, covering the reigns of Babur and Humayun, and concludes with Akbar’s early life.
- The Second Volume: This volume specifically recorded the events of Akbar’s reign. It chronicles the political and military history of the empire year by year, covering the period up to the 46th regnal year (1602 CE).
- The Third Volume: Titled the Ain-i-Akbari, this volume describes the administrative structure, household, army, revenues, and geography of the empire. It serves as a gazetteer rather than a historical narrative.
Key Takeaway:
The first volume covers ancestry, the second volume details the historical events of Akbar's reign, and the third volume (Ain-i-Akbari) deals with administration and statistics.