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Context:

The Punjab government is about to preserve and restore Jahaz Haveli which was once the residence of Diwan Todar Mal.

About Todar Mal:

Diwan Todar Mal was a wealthy merchant from Sirhind.

According to historical records, he was a revenue official (Diwan) of the Mughals under emperor Akbar and then Shah Jahan. He was also the Vakil-us-Sultanat (Counsellor of the Empire) and Joint Wazir.

He was one of the Navaratnas (a group of nine extraordinary people) in Akbar's court.

Career background:

Todar Mal started his career as a writer but slowly moved up the ranks when Sher Shah Suri, the Sur emperor, assigned him to the charge of building a new fort of Rohtas in Punjab to prevent Ghakhar raids and to also act as a barrier to the Mughals in the north-west.

However, after the Sur dynasty was overthrown by the Mughals, Todar Mal continued to serve the ruling power, which was now the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Contributions:

Under Akbar,
- - In charge of Agra
  - Governor of Gujarat
  - Managing Akbar’s Mint in Bengal
  - Overhauled the revenue system of Akbar's Mughal empire
He built a fortress palace in Uttar Pradesh.
He translated the Bhagavata Purana into Persian.
He was the first Hindu to be sent to lead the Mughal Army.