1. Religious Policies of Key Mughal Rulers
Akbar (1556–1605) – Liberal Policies
- Sulh-i-Kul (“Peace with All”) – Universal religious tolerance
- Din-i-Ilahi (1582) – Syncretic religion (blended Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism)
- Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) – Interfaith debates (1575)
- Abolition of Jizya (1564) – Tax on non-Muslims revoked
- Pilgrim Tax removed – For Hindu shrines
- Marriage Alliances – Hindu Rajput wives (e.g., Jodha Bai)
Jahangir (1605–1627) – Moderate Approach
- Continued Sulh-i-Kul but less actively
- Execution of Guru Arjan Dev (1606) – Sikh relations strained
- Permitted Jesuit missionaries in court
Shah Jahan (1628–1658) – Orthodox Shift
- Temple Destruction (e.g., Benaras temples)
- Restrictions on Hindus – Barred from public offices
Aurangzeb (1658–1707) – Orthodox Extremes
- Reimposition of Jizya (1679) – Tax on non-Muslims
- Temple Destruction – Kashi Vishwanath (1669), Mathura’s Kesava Deo
- Ban on Music & Art – Considered un-Islamic
- Fatwa-i-Alamgiri – Islamic legal code based on Sharia
2. Key Religious Terms & Institutions
- Jizya – Poll tax on non-Muslims (abolished by Akbar, revived by Aurangzeb)
- Zakat – Alms tax on Muslims
- Waqf – Religious endowments (for mosques/schools)
- Madad-i-Maash – Tax-free land grants to scholars/clerics
- Sufi Orders – Chishti, Naqshbandi (played advisory roles)
3. Interfaith Relations & Conflicts
Hindu-Muslim Dynamics
- Akbar’s Rajput Policy – Alliances via marriages, granted autonomy
- Aurangzeb’s Demolitions – Targeted major Hindu temples
- Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Execution (1675) – Anti-Sikh policy
Christian Interactions
- Jesuit Missions – Akbar allowed churches in Agra/Lahore
- European Traders – Portuguese, British, given limited religious freedom
4. Cultural Syncretism
- Persian + Indian Traditions – Urdu language emergence
- Mughal Miniatures – Blended Islamic & Hindu motifs
- Music – Tansen (Hindu) in Akbar’s court
- Architecture – Fusion styles (e.g., Taj Mahal’s lotus motifs)
5. Impact of Policies
| Ruler | Policy | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Akbar | Sulh-i-Kul | Strengthened unity, reduced rebellions |
| Aurangzeb | Jizya reimposed | Alienated Hindus/Sikhs, fueled revolts |
Comparative Table: Akbar vs. Aurangzeb
| Policy | Akbar | Aurangzeb |
|---|---|---|
| Jizya | Abolished (1564) | Reimposed (1679) |
| Temples | Protected, granted lands | Destroyed (e.g., Kashi Vishwanath) |
| Non-Muslims | Included in administration | Included in the administration |