Akbar the Great, born on October 15, 1542, was the third Mughal emperor who ruled from 1556 to 1605 and is recognized for his military conquests and administrative reforms that significantly expanded the Mughal Empire across northern India. He is known for his policy of religious tolerance, integrating Hindus into the bureaucracy, and allowing them to maintain their own laws, which helped pave the way for a more unified Indian identity. Despite initiating a new religion, Din-i Ilahi, Akbar's approach to governance and his emphasis on coexistence between different faiths marked a pivotal evolution in India's cultural and political landscape.