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{/googleAds} At a seminar held Tuesday evening on Akbar's birthday, Dr. Chandra Kant Tripathi, registrar of the Institute said Akbar's experiments in governance, his ideas relating to coexistence and mutual tolerance of each other's faith and recognition of talents like the nine jewels, have to be seen as part of a rich legacy he left behind.

The ASI and the culture department, the residents of  the Taj city and Fatehpur Sikri did not think it necessary to hold any function to commemorate Mughal emperor Akbar's birthday, even though Agra as Akbarabad owes its identity to the great Mughal emperor, whose Sulah Kul and Din-e-ilahi laid the foundation of modern-day secularism.

Heritage Society vice president Shravan Kumar Singh said Akbar, a popular ruler of his time, was known for his intellectual contribution and advocacy of a composite culture through his 'Din-e-Ilahi', a concept that is of relevance in the present context of growing terrorism and religious intolerance. Other Mughal rulers like Shah Jahan were famed more for their architectural ideas, he added.

Mukesh, a writer from Mathura said Akbar is widely considered the greatest of the Mughal emperors and has been christened 'Akbar the Great'. It was only when Aurangzeb tried his 'Taalibani' experiment that the empire began tottering. 

Surendra Sharma, hotelier, lamented that the government had done nothing in Akbar's memory despite promises of celebrating his 400th death anniversary in grand style.

'The government agencies had announced plans of celebrating emperor Akbar's 400th death anniversary last year, and had promised to release postage stamps in his honour, but they have forgotten everything and nothing has been done so far,' said Ajay Bhartiya.

Om Prakash of Hathras accused state politicians of plundering the Mughal city adding that its development had been haphazard and uneven.

Advocate Kuldip Narayan Pal said Akbar's tomb in Sikandra and the Agra Fort needed urgent conservational efforts.

Deepak Rajput and Monisha Sharma suggested that the city be home to a Mughal museum and that special arrangements be made for tourists to experience authentic Mughlai cuisine. Proper memorials should be built to cherish the memory of Birbal and Todar Mal. 'Akbar's life provides fascinating glimpses of how tactfully and diplomatically politics had to be pursued, uniting all segments of the society towards a higher goal.'