Sahu Todar

Sahu Todar was a senior courtier of Emperor Akbar, trusted Minister of Krishnamangal Chowdhary and Superintendent of the royal mint at Agra. He had an easy access to Akbar who was impressed by his intelligence.

He would ever be remembered tor organising land management, revenue and land record systems. His virtuous father Sahu Pasa was a rich and religious minded Agarwal Jain who originally belonged to Bhataniyakole in Distt. Aligarh.

He possessed a sound moral character and observed much restraints in life. The contemporary writers held Sahu Todar in high esteems and praised him as a pious and talented person enjoying royal honour, having simple and generous heart, possessing sound moral character and religious disposition.

Having obtained a royal order from the Emperor, he spent huge amount on renovation and construction of 514 Stupas and establishment of 12 Dikpals, etc. He organised a big Pratistha function for that in 1573 at which a number of Jain saints were invited.

He constructed a Jain temple at Agra. By his inspirations, Pandey Raimall had edited Jambooswami Charitra in Sanskrit language in 1575 and in 1585 Pt. Jindas had composed his original Hindi poetic work on the same subject. Married to Smt.

Kasumbhi, he had four sons Rishabh Das, Mohan Das, Roop Chand and Lachman Das. The whole family was religious minded having literary leanings. Sahu Rishabh Das was a spiritualist having keen interest in Yoga scriptures. At his instance, Pt. Nayavilas had prepared Sanskrit Tika of the Jain Yoga scripture ‘Jnanarvava’ of Acharya Shubhchandra.