About food Akbar had straight forward views in his own words—
“Sleep and food are for regaining power to accomplish the will of God.”
About eating habits of Akbar Du Jerik writes—
“He ate light food and only for 3-4 months of the year he would eat non-vegetarian food. Rest of the time he consumed milk, rice and sweets. In the last phase of his life he had become fully vegetarian.”
About eating flesh he used to say—
“I don’t want to make my stomach the graveyard of animals.”
Akbar used to take full meal only one time a day and that was lunch or noon-meals. He was not free of alcohol consumption but he drank only a small measure. Similarly he used to take opium in liquid form (mixed in milk or juice) in tiny medicinal dose.
He slept only for three hours and rest of the time he remained busy in works.
Interests
From the very childhood Akbar was fond of sports and specially hunting.
He favourite sport was riding elephant. He could get atop any rogue elephant. In doing so he had risked his life several times. Not only hunting he was fond of rearing up wild species of animals.
It was said that he had reared thousands of cheetals and leopards. Camels, horses and elephants were too many for count. All those animals had individual names and Akbar could identify each one of them by just looking at one.
He liked to watch animal or bird fights. But he wouldn’t neglect administrative work.
Akbar was very fond of Polo. He was so crazy about it that he often played polo at night using a shiny ball.
Breeding pigeons and dogs was his hobby.
He was equally interested in music and had taken formal education and training in it. He appreciated music so much that he had two renowned classical singers in Tansen and Baba Ramdas in his court in exalted positions. During his reign classical music prospered greatly.
His interest in painting and graphics was very well known. Akbar was a fan of performing arts.
The interests of Akbar had a wide spectrum.
According to a Jesuit Padre—
“He was very curious about mechanical process. Akbar drew great pleasure in seeing cannons being cast in moulds.”
According to Mansrett—
“The emperor took personal interest in the work of the artisans. Often he himself happily worked as an artisan for fun. For all types of artisan works he had built a workshop near his palace.”
