India: Emperor Akbar watching Tansen taking a music lesson from Swami Haridas, Rajasthan, c. 1769

Akbar (Urdu: جلال الدین محمد اکبر , Hindi: जलालुद्दीन मुहम्मद अकबर, Jalāl ud-Dīn Muhammad Akbar), also known as Shahanshah Akbar-e-Azam or Akbar the Great (25 October 1542 – 27 October 1605), was the third Mughal Emperor. He was of Timurid descent; the son of Emperor Humayun, and the grandson of Emperor Babur, the ruler who founded the Mughal dynasty in India. At the end of his reign in 1605 the Mughal empire covered most of the northern and central India.

Popularly known as a saint musician of north India, Swami Haridas is said to be the incarnation of Lalita Sakhi, a dear friend of Radha. He had a very strong influence on the style of music in north India. He is especially credited with composing a large number of devotional songs and also the Dhrupad compositions. Swami Haridas is supposed to be the Guru of the famous musician Tansen. He also started the Haridasi School of Mysticism that had many students.

Considered the greatest musician in India, Tansen (1506 – 1589) was cone of the Navaratnas (Nine Gems) in the court of Emperor Akbar. Tansen was born in a Hindu family in a place called Gwalior located in Madhya Pradesh. His father was a famous poet by the name of Mukund Mishra. Tansen was named Tannu Mishra when he was born.

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