. Abul-Fazl studied with his father, Sheikh Mubarak Nagawri, a distinguished scholar. Abul-Fazl and his brother, the poet Fayzi, were -closely associated with Akbar's policy of religious tolerance. Abul-Fazl criticized the traditional Muslim religious leaders and opposed their narrow-mindedness and preoccupation with outward forms instead of the transcendent God. Immensely influential in Akbar's court, Abul-Fazl was appointed a military commander in the Deccan in 1599. He distinguished himself both as a soldier and as an administrator. He was recalled to court during a rebellion by Akbar's son Salim (later known as Emperor Jahangir) but, at the instigation of Salim, he was assassinated on the way. Abul-Fazl's major literary achievement was a history of Akbar and his ancestors, the Akbarnamah (English translation by H. Beveridge, The Akbarnama of Abul-Fazl , 1907-39). The concluding part, Ain-i-Akbari (English translation by H.F. Blochmann and H.S. Jarret, 1927-49) consists of three parts: (1) a manual of government operations ranging from the jewel office and elephant stables to the army and tax collection, (2) a description and short history of Akbar's 12 provinces, and (3) an account of Hindu culture and sciences. Abul-Fazl is said to have translated the Bible into Persian.