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Mughal Religious Policy
Mughal Religious Policy
Babur:
Babur was a Sunni Muslim. He had complete faith in God but he was
not a bigot. He had agreed to propagate Shia sect among his subjects
when he had entered into a treaty with Shah Ismail of Persia. Certainly
Babur exhibited intolerance in India on several occasions.
He declared wars against Rana Sanga and Medini Rai as Jihads (holy
wars), assumed the title of Ghazi (slayer of infidels), abolished stamp-
tax on the Muslims and built a mosque in Ayodhya. Yet, his aim was
not religious but political. He took these measures only during the
course of wars in order to inspire his followers.
Humayun:
Humayun was also a Sunni Muslim and followed the principles of his
faith in his personal life. But his policy was also tolerant. He was very
much tolerant towards the Shias. His wife Hamida Banu Begum and
his chief noble, Bairam Khan, were Shias. He was inclined towards
Sufism also. Towards Hindus, of course, he became illiberal during the
course of wars and even destroyed Hindu temples, yet he adopted no
measure against them in times of peace
Sher Shah:
Sher Shah was an Afghan ruler. Historians have differed regarding his
religious policy. Dr K.R. Qanungo says that his treatment of the
Hindus was respectful. Dr A.L. Srivastava writes- “Sher Shah’s
personal feelings and views apart, he was, on the whole, a tolerant
ruler and did think it wise to follow a policy of religious persecution.
He left Hindus undisturbed and allowed them to follow their own
religion without let or hindrance.”
Contrary to these views, Dr S.R. Sharma has expressed:
“Sher Shah was only a product of his own age as far as his religious
policy was concerned. Like Feroz Shah before him, he combined
administrative zeal with religious intolerance. His place in history
does not depend upon his initiating a policy of religious toleration or
neutrality.”
But, again, these instances are examples when he was fighting against
the Hindus. In times of peace, he adopted no such measure. Therefore,
mostly it is accepted that he did not engage himself in religious
persecution.
Akbar:
The religious policy of Akbar was that of complete toleration. His
policy was based on the principle of Suleh-i-kul (universal peace).
Akbar was the first among the emperors of Delhi who pursued such a
policy
Various factors were responsible for the liberal views and policy of
religious toleration of Akbar. His father was Sunni while his mother
and his protector, Bairam Khan were Shias. His tutor, Abdul Latif had
so much liberal religious views that he was regarded a Sunni in Persia
and a Shia in northern India. His career in India began in Punjab
where saints like Guru Nanak had preached equality of Islam and
Hinduism.
2. All these people who were forcibly converted to Islam were allowed
to go back to their previous faith.
Dr S.R. Sharma says that “Akbar remained the follower of Islam till his
death.” He argues that when prince Salim revolted against his father
he could not charge him of blasphemy.
Even Badayuni who was very much against Akbar wrote that till 1598
A.D. whosoever disrespected Prophet Mohammad in any way was
punished by death. Thus, Dr Sharma is nearer the truth. Akbar, of
course, did not follow principles of Islam strictly, yet he never felt the
necessity of accepting any other religion. He was a liberal man and
therefore, was tolerant towards every faith. Yet, he remained a
Muslim, rather, a good Muslim throughout his life.
Jahangir:
Regarding his religious policy, Jahangir has been placed between his
father, Akbar and his son, Shah Jahan. He had faith in God and
observed principles of Islam in a normal way. But, he was not a
religious man. He did not practise principles of Islam strictly. He came
in contact with people of all faiths which liberalised his views. He
believed in the unity of God.
Shah Jahan:
As compared to his father, Jahangir, Shah Jahan certainly favoured
Islam. He was a Sunni Muslim, dressed in Muslim fashion, did not
permit the Hindus to wear Muslim dress, kept beard, used alcohol in a
restrained manner and was regular in his prayers and keeping fasts of
Ramzan.
In the seventh year of his reign, Shah Jahan had ordered that those
Hindus who would embrace Islam would get their share from the
property of their father immediately. Shah Jahan encouraged
conversion to Islam throughout his reign.
Aurangzeb:
Aurangzeb completely reversed the religious policy of Akbar. He
adopted a policy of persecuting people of other faiths. He was a fanatic
Sunni, Zinda (living) Pir for his Sunni subjects and observed the
principles of Islam strictly. He was very much particular about his
daily prayers and fast of Ramzan. He dressed very simply, never
touched alcohol and did not keep more than four wives at a time.
5. To check the power of the Afghan tribes, that lived in the mountain
region between Punjab and Kabul.
1)Relations of the Mughals with the Uzbeks in Central Asia:
Babur:
Babur’s homeland was Fargana in Uzbeks. He was defeated by the
Uzbeks and was deprived of Fargana and Samarqand.Babur always
wanted to conquer his homeland but failed. So he couldn’t have good
relations with uzbeks.
Humayun:
Humayun, in his wanderings took shelter with the Shah of Persia who
helped him in regaining India.
Akbar:
The Uzbek ruler wanted that Akbar should have no friendship with
Persia. This proposition was not acceptable to Akbar and he politely
declined.
Jahangir:
During the reign of Jahangir, Persia snatched Kandhar from the
Mughals and Baghdad from the Turks. Then Jahangir, the Uzbeks and
the Turks collaborated together to start a triangular fight against
Persia. This collaboration was short-lived.
Shah Jahan:
Shah Jahan sent several expeditions to conquer Bukhara from the
Uzbeks but had to suffer heavy losses. In the beginning of the
campaigns prince Aurangzeb had an upper hand and he had even
captured Bukhara. But on his return journey, his victory was turned
into a rout. The Mughal forces suffered grievous losses—in men and
money. It exposed the hollowness of Shah Jahan’s power.
Aurangzeb:
Aurangzeb made no attempt to recapture the areas occupied by the
Uzbeks. He maintained friendly relations with them. There was
frequent exchange of ambassadors and gifts from both sides.
2. For the Mughals from the political point of view the possession of
Kandhar was important as from it they could easily check the foreign
invaders to India.
Humayun:
Humayun was able to capture Kandhar with the assistance of Shah of
Persia. He did not encounter any tribal uprising from this direction.
Akbar:
Akbar followed a systematic frontier policy. He suppressed the wild
tribes by sending strong forces which had to face serious challenge
from the Afghan tribes, especially the Yusufzais. The tribal uprising
convinced Akbar to bring the frontier provinces under his strict
control. He conquered and annexed Sind, Baluchistan, Kashmir and
Kandhar. He secured the empire and brought territorial gains to the
Mughal empire in this direction.
Jahangir:
Although the Shah of Persia professed friendship with Jahangir, he
captured Kandhar.
Shah Jahan:
In spite of best efforts, Shah Jahan failed to get foothold.
Aurangzeb:
Aurangzeb followed a ‘forward’ policy on the Northwest Frontier. The
unruly Afghan tribes of the region created lot of trouble for the
Mughals.
In this article we will discuss about the various Mughul emperors and
their Rajput policies.
Babur:
Babur had no planned policy towards the Rajputs. He had to fight
against Rana Sanga of Mewar and Medini Rai of Chanderi because this
was necessary for the establishment and safety of his empire in India.
On both the occasions, he declared Jihad, assumed the title of ghazi
after his success and raised minarets of the heads of the Rajputs. But
he married Humayun with one Rajput princess and employed Rajputs
in the army. Thus, he neither tried to befriend Rajputs nor regarded
them as his permanent enemies.
Humayun:
Humayun continued the policy of his father regarding the Rajputs.
However, he lost one good opportunity to befriend the Rajputs of
Mewar. He did not help Mewar against Bahadur Shah of Gujarat even
when Rani Karnvati of Mewar had offered to become his sister. He
also failed to get support of Maldeo of Marwar against Sher Shah.
Sher Shah:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Sher Shah desired to bring Rajput rulers under his suzerainty. In 1544
A.D., he attacked Marwar and succeeded in capturing larger part of it.
Ranthambhor was also captured by him while the rulers of Mewar and
Jaipur accepted his suzerainty without fighting.
He also captured Kalinjar just before his death. He, thus, succeeded in
his objective. One primary cause of his success was that he did not try
to annex the kingdoms of Rajput rulers. Those who accepted his
suzerainty were left masters of their kingdoms.
Akbar:
Akbar was the first Mughul emperor who pursued a planned policy
towards the Rajputs. Various factors participated in the formation of
his Rajput policy. Akbar was an imperialist. He desired to bring under
his rule as much territory of India as could be possible
(a) He captured strong forts of the Rajputs like the forts of Chittor,
Merta, Ranthambhor, Kalinjar etc. This weakened the power of the
Rajputs to offer him resistance.
(c) Those Rajput rulers who opposed him, were attacked and efforts
were made to force them to accept his sovereignty. The case of Mewar
was the best example of it.
Jahangir:
Jahangir continued the policy of his father in the same manner. He
was liberal towards the Rajputs though the number of the Rajputs on
higher posts decreased during his reign. He also attempted to force
Mewar to submission which had refused it so far. He sent several
Mughul forces, one after another, to invade Mewar right from the
beginning of his reign
Shah Jahan:
Shah Jahan also pursued the policy of his father and grandfather. He
gave them all due honour and befriended them though the number of
the Rajputs on higher posts went on decreasing. Yet, the Rajputs
remained loyal to him. While Raja Jaswant Singh of Marwar and Raja
Jai Singh of Jaipur served him loyally, Rana Jagat Singh and Rana Raj
Singh of Mewar respectively maintained good relations with him.
Aurangzeb:
Aurangzeb reversed the policy which was enunciated by Akbar and
pursued by Jahangir and Shah Jahan. He was a bigot and the Rajputs
were the greatest obstacle in persuance of his policy against the
Hindus. Aurangzeb, therefore, attempted to destroy the power of the
Rajputs and annex their kingdoms.