At the launch of MJ Akbar’s book 'After Me, Chaos: Astrology in the Mughal Empire', NSA Ajit Doval said the Mughals were "insecure" and often sought advice from Brahmin pandits before launching military campaigns. He noted that “Brahmins had a role in the running of the state,” highlighting that Emperor Akbar even appointed a Hindu pandit as his chief astrologer.