OCR Specification focus:
‘religious policy; economic developments ; military achievements’
Akbar’s reign marked a turning point in Mughal India. His religious inclusivity, economic reforms, and institutional innovations shaped a durable empire, ensuring stability, prosperity, and cultural flourishing.
Religious Policy under Akbar
Akbar’s approach to religion was central to his vision of ruling a diverse subcontinent. His policies reflected both political pragmatism and genuine intellectual curiosity.
Early Policy and Tolerance
At the outset of his reign, Akbar recognised the plurality of India’s population, composed of Hindus, Muslims, Jains, and other communities. Unlike previous rulers who often sought dominance of one tradition, Akbar pursued sulh-i kul (universal peace), which became a cornerstone of his government.
Abolition of discriminatory taxes: In 1563, Akbar removed the pilgrimage tax on Hindus, and in 1564 he abolished the hated jizya (poll tax on non-Muslims).
Inclusion in administration: Akbar recruited Hindus, particularly the Rajputs, into the imperial service, promoting loyalty among former rivals.
Marriage alliances: He strengthened ties by marrying Rajput princesses, incorporating them into the Mughal court without demanding conversion.
Sulh-i kul: A Mughal principle of governance under Akbar meaning ‘universal peace’, which emphasised tolerance, harmony, and equality among all faith communities.
Intellectual Engagement
Akbar sought to understand multiple religions, creating the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) at Fatehpur Sikri in 1575.
Akbar convenes scholars of multiple faiths in the Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri. Jesuit missionaries are present, illustrating his sponsorship of interfaith dialogue under sulh-i kul. Source
He invited Jesuit missionaries from Goa, reflecting his openness to Christian theology.
He encouraged translations of key Hindu texts, including the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, into Persian, the court language.
His interest culminated in the development of the Din-i Ilahi (Religion of God) in 1582.
Din-i Ilahi: A syncretic faith created by Akbar blending elements of Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism. It aimed to promote unity but gained few adherents.
Although Din-i Ilahi was never widely followed, it symbolised Akbar’s experiment with religious unity.
Impact of Religious Policy
Akbar’s tolerance reduced tensions between communities and legitimised Mughal authority over a Hindu-majority population. By dismantling barriers of discrimination, he consolidated imperial power and fostered cultural exchange.
Economic Developments under Akbar
Akbar’s reign also transformed Mughal economic life. His reforms ensured efficient revenue collection, promoted agriculture, and strengthened the state’s financial foundations.
Agricultural Foundation
Agriculture formed the backbone of Mughal India. Akbar’s policies stabilised production and increased the crown’s revenue base.
Land surveys: His finance minister, Raja Todar Mal, introduced the zabt system, a comprehensive land revenue settlement.
Measurement of land: Fields were surveyed and assessed, with revenue demands fixed according to the average yield and prices over a ten-year cycle.
Standardisation: Taxes were payable in cash rather than in kind, tying peasants to the monetary economy.
Zabt system: A land revenue assessment system introduced under Akbar involving detailed measurement of cultivated land and fixing taxes based on average yields and prices.
This innovation enhanced both state revenue and fairness by reducing arbitrary demands.
Commercial Growth
Akbar presided over a period of commercial expansion, where India became integrated into regional and global trade.
Textiles: Cotton cloth from Bengal and Gujarat was exported widely.
Spices and indigo: High-value goods drew European traders, including the Portuguese, into Mughal markets.
Infrastructure: Roads and caravanserais improved mobility, facilitating internal trade.
The circulation of silver currency (the rupiya) standardised exchange and encouraged a monetised economy.
A silver rupee from the Lahore mint, struck under Akbar, exemplifies the standardised Mughal currency. Such coins supported monetised taxation and expanding trade networks.
Rupiya: A silver coin introduced under Sher Shah Suri and maintained under Akbar, becoming the standard currency of Mughal India.
Administrative Efficiency
Economic reforms were tied closely to administrative innovations.
Central treasury: Revenue flowed directly into a centralised treasury, strengthening imperial control.
Mansabdari system: Nobles were paid through assignments of revenue (jagirs), ensuring loyalty to the emperor while integrating economic and military organisation.
This integration of fiscal and military structures allowed Akbar to maintain a standing army and expand territorial control.
Interaction of Religious and Economic Policies
Akbar’s policies in religion and economics were mutually reinforcing. Religious tolerance encouraged cooperation from non-Muslim elites, ensuring a stable political environment conducive to economic growth. In turn, efficient revenue collection and expanding trade supported the splendour of his court and the financing of monumental projects, such as Fatehpur Sikri.
Rajput integration linked politics, religion, and economy. Their loyalty strengthened the empire while ensuring tax revenues flowed without rebellion.
Cosmopolitan court culture was sustained by economic prosperity, allowing for patronage of translations, art, and architecture.
Together, these policies established Akbar’s reputation as a visionary emperor, whose reign was marked by inclusivity, prosperity, and durability. His religious policy eased sectarian divides, while his economic reforms stabilised and enriched the empire, making his era one of enduring strength.
FAQ
The Ibadat Khana was deliberately built at Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s newly established capital, to symbolise the emperor’s authority as both political and spiritual leader.
Its position within a purpose-built city reflected Akbar’s vision of creating an intellectual and religious hub under imperial patronage. The choice of location also ensured debates could be closely monitored by the emperor himself.
Removing the pilgrimage tax in 1563 enabled greater access for Hindus to visit sacred sites without financial burden.
This policy not only reduced resentment but also allowed large numbers of pilgrims to move more freely, contributing to cultural and religious vitality. It reinforced Akbar’s image as a fair ruler protecting the rights of all faiths
Din-i Ilahi was limited in scope, with only a small circle of Akbar’s courtiers adopting it.
It lacked a clear doctrine or scripture, making it difficult to practise.
Many elites saw it as a personal cult rather than a new faith.
Its association with the emperor meant it did not survive beyond his reign.
Silver inflows, particularly from global trade with the New World via European intermediaries, strengthened the Mughal currency system.
The ready supply of silver ensured stable minting of the rupiya, which underpinned cash-based revenue collection. This linked India more closely to international trade networks and allowed for sustained economic growth.
Todar Mal had served under Sher Shah Suri before entering Akbar’s administration, giving him experience in practical revenue administration.
His familiarity with land measurement, record-keeping, and taxation methods helped shape the zabt system. By applying both technical precision and long-term averages, he created a system that blended earlier innovations with Mughal centralisation.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks):
Which Mughal emperor abolished the jizya tax during the sixteenth century, and in what year was it removed?
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for correctly identifying Akbar as the emperor.
1 mark for correctly giving the year 1564.
Question 2 (6 marks):
Explain how Akbar’s religious policies helped to support his economic reforms.
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for explaining that religious tolerance encouraged loyalty among non-Muslim elites, particularly Rajputs, ensuring stable tax collection.
1 mark for noting that abolition of discriminatory taxes (such as jizya) reduced resistance and promoted cooperation from Hindu subjects.
1 mark for explaining that marriage alliances and inclusion of Hindus in administration built trust, supporting efficient revenue gathering.
1 mark for linking sulh-i kul (universal peace) to the reduction of sectarian tensions, creating conditions for economic growth.
1 mark for showing how translation and cultural initiatives tied into a broader court culture supported by wealth from revenue.
1 mark for overall coherence: making a clear connection between religious inclusivity and economic stability/prosperity.
(Maximum 6 marks — award 1 mark for each valid point or explanation, up to the total.)
