Akbar the Great - religious toleration! Flashcards
How have historians compared Akbar with Queen Elizabeth I of England?
Historians have often compared Akbar with Queen Elizabeth I of England, who reigned in almost the same years. Both were monarchs who faced deep religious divisions in their realms but found ways to allow people of different faiths to live side by side in peace.
What was Akbarโs understanding of religious conflict in his empire?
The Mughals were a Muslim dynasty ruling over a mostly Hindu country, and Akbar understood that this could cause conflict โ especially if Hindus felt that Muslims had more power or more privileges than them.
How did Akbar promote religious tolerance?
Akbarโs solution was toleration of both religions on equal terms. Akbar abolished the jizya tax that non-Muslims had traditionally had to pay to their Muslim rulers, and he encouraged Hindus to continue in their religious practices without Mughal interference.
What did Akbar do to encourage understanding of Hinduism?
He also ordered the translation of classic Hindu texts into Persian, enabling people from outside India to read the lierature of Hinduism for the first time.
How did Akbar show his interest in spirituality?
Akbar was a thoughtful and religious man, who took a great interest in spirituality. He was curious about all faiths, including the Catholic Christianity preached by the Portuguese who came regularly to trade in Indian ports.
What was the Dฤซn-i Ilฤhฤซ?
Eventually, Akbar tried to start his own religious order, the Dฤซn-i Ilฤhฤซ. This was not exactly a new religion (it remained based in Islam), but it was a highly unusual religious group that presented Akbar himself as a semi-divine figure.
What was the purpose and outcome of the Dฤซn-i Ilฤhฤซ?
Although it may have been designed to ensure the loyalty of Indiaโs nobles, almost nobody outside of the court converted to the Dฤซn-i Ilฤhฤซ, and many were offended by it.
When did Akbar die, and how many people did he rule over?
Akbar died in 1605. At his death he ruled over about 100 million people โ more than double the entire population of Western Europe at the time.
What appeared on Akbarโs coins, and why was it controversial?
On Akbarโs coins appeared the words โAllahu Akbar!โ This is the traditional Muslim declaration โGod is great!โ โ but the same words could also mean โAkbar is God!โ Akbar claimed that no blasphemy was intended, but many suspected that he was trying to place himself at the centre of all Indian religious life.
