Historian Ramesh Chand Sharma, in his inaugural speech said: ‘Akbar’s experiments in governance, his ideas relating to coexistence and mutual tolerance of each other’s faith, recognition of talents as nine jewels, composite culture, have to be seen as part of a rich legacy he left behind.’

The programme began with Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society, eminent lawyer Achal Sharma cutting the ceremonial birthday cake at Goverdhan hotel. A large group of merry makers then sang Happy Birthday to Akbar the Great.

Agra’s identity comes more from Akbar who was one of the most popular rulers of his time, than others like Shah Jahan who were no doubt great builders, but their intellectual contribution was nil, speakers said.

Welcoming the guests, Surendra Sharma lamented that the city of the Mughals had been plundered and pillaged by politicians and upstarts, the city’s development had been haphazard and uneven leaving large segments of population untouched. ‘The government agencies have forgotten Akbar Badshah unfortunately,’ he said. Akbar’s tomb in Sikandra and the Agra Fort need urgent conservational efforts. The city must have a Mughal museum and some special arrangements for the tourists to taste Mughalai cuisine; it was suggested at the birthday conference.

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 seminal ideas of Sulah Kul and Din-e-ilahi laid the foundation of modern-day secularism.

Eminent historian Ramesh Chandra Sharma said Akbar's concepts of Din-e-Ilahi (Tauhide Elahi) and Sulah Kul, were more relevant in the present context of fundamentalist terror and growing intolerance in society. "Shah Jahan at the time of his accession to the throne named Agra as Akbarabad, but after a while it was back again to Agra. It is a great pity that despite such magnificent buildings like Sikandra, Fatehpur Sikri and the Agra Fort, Akbar was not so popular in this area, compared to the romantic tale of Shah Jahan and his Taj Mahal."

‘Akbar’s experiments in governance, his ideas relating to coexistence and mutual tolerance of each other’s faith, recognition of talents as nine jewels, composite culture, have to be seen as part of a rich legacy he left behind,’ speakers said.

Several speakers pointed out that Akbar's tomb in Sikandra and the Agra Fort needed urgent conservational efforts. "The city must have a Mughal museum and some special arrangements for the tourists to taste Mughalai cuisine," one said.