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Some of the facts about -Abu'l-Fath Jalal ud-din Muhammad Akbar, known popularly as Akbar.

• He was the ruler (Shahenshah) of the whole of India. 
• His full name is Abu’l – Fath Jalal ud – din Muhammad Akbar (14 Oct 1542-27 Oct 1605). 
• He was a Mughal ruler until his death. 
• He succeeded his father Humayun, under a regent Bairam Khan. 
• Akbar had many courts in Agra, Delhi, Fatehpur Sikri etc. 
• He respected all religions and formed his own new religion called Din-i-ilah. 
• His mother was Hamida Banu Begum, but he took importance of Maha Manga, his step-mother. 
• He had many queens like Rukhiya Khan, Salima Khan and Jodha Bhai. 
• It is believed that he had 1000 cheetahs in his menagerie. 
• He had nine wise ministers whom he called the nine jems, in which Birbal (jester) and Tansen (singer) were also present. 
• In his childhood, he had a tutor called as Abul Fazel. 
• Although he was an illiterate he had a good hope for literature. 
• Akbar’s life was very systematic. 
• He built the great fort, Fatehpur Sikri. 
• Fatehpur Sikri had a section of meeting of common people called Diwan-i-aam and for noble people Diwan-i-Khas. 
• His main enemy was Shaif-Uddin (his Brother –in-law). 
• Akbar reduced the tax paid by the farmers. 
• Thus, he was called Akbar for his greatness. 
• Akbar at last took his last breath on 27 October 1605 (aged 63)at Fatehpur Sikri, Agra. 
• Akbar was succeeded by Jahangir. 
• Akbar is a mark of significance in the history of India. 

By – Yashas.E.Sankol., 6th Standard., Presidency School NLO.

Ashoka, Who embraced 'Dhamma'

Emperor Ashoka succeeded his father , Bindusara. He ascended the throne in 273 BC. He was one of the greatest Indian rulers. Numerous rock and pillar edicts spread over a large part of India, provide a lot of information about Ashoka's reign.

During ashoka's reign, Kalinga was the only kingdom which was not under Mauryan control. Ashoka decided to conquer Kalinga and attacked it in 261 BC. Finally, he conquered Kalinga. That was his turning point.When he saw the bloodshed of the soliders,  their sufferings, he gave up violence and embraced Buddhism.

He started the policy of 'Dhamma' ( Dhamma in Prakrith = Dharma in Sanskrit). This kind of thinking is based on some Buddhist chronicles. The Kalinga war was a dramatic turning point where out of remorse for the death and destruction of war and embraced peace and harmony. These chronicles inscribed on rocks, walls, buildings, pillars through out the empire are called 'Edicts of Ashoka'. The Buddhist records credit him with the propagation of Buddhism in India and aboard. As an emperor, Ashoka did not favour Buddhism at the expenses of other religions. Ashoka also started Dhamma yatras. He and his high officials were to tour the country propagating Dhamma and establishing direct contact with his subjects. Because of such attitudes and policies, modern writers have called him "a monk in a king's garb."

-By,J.Harish Arjun., 6th Std, Presidency School NLO, Bangalore.

Ashoka The Great - A Dharmik Samraat

Ashoka was one of the two greatest emperors of India.He reigned for about 40 years after he became ruler of Magadha in 272 B.C. He was the first king to educate his men and lead them to the path of truth. He was the only military man who gave up warfare.

Ashoka was the grandson of Chandra Gupta Maurya and son of Bindusar. Ashoka was brought up in Pataliputra, the capital of Magadha. In the name of education, he was taught things that would supply learning, culture and wealth.It is said that as a child he was very furious.But after the ascended throne, there was a complete change in his nature.

In year 262 B.C he decided to make an attack on kingdom of Kalinga, now called Orissa & conquered it and added to his empire. The suffering and blood shed in the war had a great impact on his mind. At that time, he met a great Buddhist preacher named, Upagupt. The teachings of Upagupt brought a complete change in his life and character. He made up his mind to establish an empire on love, order and peace. This made him lover of all forms of life. He built hospitals for men and animals and banned animal sacrifice.

He sent missionaries to Tibet, China, Burma Srilanka and deccan to spread Buddhism. He bagen the practice of law of piety. He made 14 principles of law to make people happy.He got them engraved on rocks and pillars throughout his empire.

Ashoka was a man of character. He thought his people to be truthful, honest, dutiful , non-violent and obedient. As a king, he was just and kind. He spent his life in the service of people.

By Priyanka .S.,  6th Std,  Vidhya Vardhaka Sangha.,  Rajajinagar., Bangalore.

We celebrate Ganesh Chaturti on chaturdasi of bhadrapada masa. There is a story connected behind Ganesh Chaturti.

Parvati is the daughter of the heavenly nymph Menaka and Himavata, the lord of mountains . After Parvathi married Lord Shiva she went to live with him on Mount Kailasa . It is believed that she returns to earth to visit her parents every year.  Lord Ganesha comes to earth to take her back to Mount Kailasa . We celebrate the arrival of Parvathi to earth as GOWRI HABBA and the arrival of Ganesha to take her back as Ganesh Chaturti.
(Submitted By Ananya S. Shastry, studying in Innisfree House school)