Published in conjunction with an exhibition held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Sept. 28, 2011-Jan. 8, 2012.

While growing up in a village in a mountainous region spread across both Afghan and Pakistani territories, Akbar Khan transforms into an understanding and intelligent boy who is devoted to his studies of the Quran and resolving problems. In a land where no one argues with the Taliban, his parents do their best to keep him from being thrust into the JIHAAD against the enemies of Islam, for Akbar is highly regarded in their village and in demand for his wisdom beyond his years. When he is thirteen, Akbar notices Jameela. Almost immediately, Akbar becomes determined to follow his heart and make her his through marriage, no matter how long it takes. As he begins to work on making his dream come true, a chain of unexpected events unfold, and how he maneuvres his own destiny through the dangers of life amongst the Taliban and how Kismet helps him escape to a near-normal life and happiness. Life of Akbar: Part One is an epic tale of determination and devotion as an intellectually gifted young man who sets out on a quest to avoid jihad and try and eliminate poverty and spread education amongst the poor of the country.

Master statesman, warrior, architect and visionary-akbar was a ruler ahead of his time. He not only conquered large territories during his rule but also united them under one superme power with his administrative strategies. He was the only emperor to untie various religions and cultures and made no distinction between his subjects on the basis of caste or creed. He trusly deserved to be called akbar the great.