Centuries pass and the world changes, but many of the qualities that make a charismatic and effective leader do not. The life of Akbar, the great Mughal, stands out for its capacity to guide today’s aspiring leaders.

Akbar inherited a turbulent territory, but after 49 years of rule, left behind one of history’s strongest and largest empires. Not only did he successfully subdue rebellions and expand his rule, he won the loyalty of many, and the admiration of many more, things which mere brute force cannot accomplish. Akbar knew that some situations require a lightning response while others benefit from deliberation. He understood the value of being unpredictable, but also the need to be merciful and dependable. He knew the importance of networking, of seeking counsel, but also of putting one’s foot down. Loyalty was treasured, but he wasn’t blinded by it; clarity was valued, but he realized that gestures and symbols were important, too, in order to convey what could not be stated explicitly. Akbar was larger than life, always one step ahead of friend and foe alike, but he understood that no power is absolute, that no office can be taken for granted, and that force has to be tempered with toleration, and confidence with caution.

Through defining episodes in Akbar’s life, Shazi Zaman paints a nuanced and insightful picture of one of the mightiest and most inclusive rulers in history, conveying enduring lessons in leadership to the captains of modern institutions.