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2. Write a Critical Note on the Religious Policy of Akbar

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2. Write a Critical Note on the Religious Policy of Akbar 1 2. Write a critical note on the religious policy of Akbar. Ans: The reign of Akbar is considered to be the glorious era of the Mughal history in India. The Mughal Empire rose to zenith of its power during his reign. Akbar is not only known for his conquests or administrative measures but also for his liberal religious policies. A number of factors influenced Akbar in expounding a liberal religious policy. In the first place his father Humayun and mother Hamida Banu both were liberal minded persons. Akbar’s mother was a Shia lady who constantly impressed upon him as a child the value of following of religious tolerance. Secondly, his teacher Abdul Latif who taught Akbar the principle of “suleh-i-kul”, universal peace. Thirdly, the influence of the contemporary Bhakti movement and Sufism of his time. They thus created the atmosphere which made Akbar to extend his liberal policies and these can be categorised into following stages. Abolition of “jazia tax” (1564): One of the first actions which Akbar took was to abolish the jazia tax, a poll tax, which the non-Muslims were require to pay in a Muslim state. Abolition of pilgrim tax (1563): Akbar abolished the pilgrim tax which was required to pay by the Hindus who went to visit holly places such as Prayag, Banaras etc. he also abolished the practice of forcible conversion of the prisoners of war to Islam. Establishment of “Ibadat Khana”(1575): Akbar built a prayer hall called “Ibadat Khana” at his new capital “Fatehpur Sikri” to conduct religious and spiritual discussion. To this he called selected theologians, mystics and intellectual courtiers or nobles. Initially only the Islamic scholars participated in it, but later on the Ibadat Khana opened to people of all religiouns.Some of the representatives of different religions who participated in its discussion were- Purrushottam (Hindu), Vijayshuri (Jain), Maharji rana (Zorastrian), Aquaviva (Christrian), Shaikh Abdun nabi (Islam) etc. Akbar took keen interest in these discussions and was convinced that the basic principles of the various religions were the same and they differed only in form. Declaration of “Mahjarnama” (1579): This document was drafted by Shaikh Mubarak at the instance of Akbar and signed by all important Muslim divines, gave power to Akbar and signed by all important Muslim divines, gave power to Akbar to act as the supreme arbiter in civil and ecclesiastical matters. Thereby, Akbar was given the right to act as the final interpreter of the Muslim law. Din-I-Illahi (1581): “Din-I-Illahi” or “Tauhid-I-Illahi” was one of the significant step taken by Akbar. The intention behind this step was to remove the differences among the different religiouns and accept all the positive sides of all the religions. According to badauni Akbar tried to strt a new religion which is a matter of question. Akbar was “pir” of this so-called religion and he would accept “murids”. 2 According to badayuni, those selected were to promise sacrifice of property, life, honour and religion. Noteworthy that Akbar neither used force nor money for enrolling disciples. The number of the group of his murids amounted to only eighteen only. In enrolling murids Akbar evidently had some political purpose also. He wanted a band of nobles and others who would be personally loyal to him, and support him in his concept of a state based on “sulh-i- kul”, that is equal toleration of and respect to all sections, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Thus, under Akbar the state became essentially secular, liberal and enlightened in social matters and promoter of cultural integration. .
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