Nehru mentioned that Babur is an attractive person, bold and adventurous, fond of art and literature. Akbare, his grandson, is even more adventurous and had greater qualities, daring and reckless, an able general, and yet gentle and compassionate, an idealist and a dreamer, but also a man of action and a leader of men who roused passionate loyalty in his followers. No wonder, he had a brilliant reign, under which the Mughal Empire flourished the most.
In the ensuing drama, we see Akbar in the sunset year of his life, missing some of his intimate courties like Bridal. He diverts his mind by listening to mian Tansen extolling raga Mian-Ki Malhar. He suddenly takes ill and poisoning is suspected, as Akbar's many conquests are now overshadowed by rivalry and rebellion. In Salim's camp, the prince is reluctant to quell the unrest in Bengal, despite Raja Man Singh's exhortation. Instead, he proceeds to Allahbad to be near Agra, the seat of power. Akbar is surprised at this move and also worried about the unrest in Ahmadnagar. He sends AbdurRahim there to support prince Murad. The unconcerned Murad is immersed in wine and alcohol, and Akbar tries to retrieve the situation by calling him back.
Akbar is seen enjoying Tansen's rendering of raga Jai Jaiwanti when he hears the news of Murad's demise, brought by Abul-Fazal from Deccan. The bereaved king seeks solace from queen jodhabai by presenting her a portrait of Murad. At the cost of enraging Akbar, Salim proceeds to Agra with a large army and, in a blatant assumption of Indian sovereignty, has his own genealogy inscribed on an ashoka pillar, Abul --Fazl, sent to deal with the prince, is murdered. Akbar receives the sad news while listening to Tansen's soothing raga Darbari Kanada. While Jodhabai remonstrates with him to control Salim, the latter's rare encounter with the father results in Salim getting resoundingly slapped and being interned. Akbar's extra indulgence for his eldest grandson Khusau over Salim's hesd gets
