Question

Akbar led the foundation of composite culture in India. Elaborate

Answer 1

Approach:
Try to highlight the character of the Akbar like he was tolerant, interested in religion and philosophy etc.

Then give examples of what he did during his rule to promote cultural harmony between Hindus and Muslims and all steps he took for the greater benefit of the society keeping his religion aside.

From the beginning, Akbar was deeply interested in religion and philosophy. At the outset, Akbar was an orthodox Muslim. But by the time Akbar reached adulthood, mysticism which was being preached in the length and breadth of the country, began to influence him. Gradually, he turned away from the path of a narrow orthodoxy.

One of the first actions which Akbar took after he had taken power in his hands, was to abolish the poll tax or jizyah which the non- muslims were required to pay in a Muslim state. Although it was not a heavy tax, it was disliked because it made a distinction between subjects. At the same time, Akbar abolished the pilgrim tax on bathing at holy places. He also abolished the practice of forcibly converting prisoners of war to Islam. This laid the essential foundation of an empire based on equal rights to all citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs.

The liberal principles of the empire were strengthened by bringing able Hindus into the nobility. He also gathered at the court a band of talented people with liberal ideas. Akbar’s attitude towards his Hindu subjects is closely linked with his views of how a sovereign should behave towards his subjects. In 1575, Akbar built a hall called Ibadat Khana or Hall of Prayer at his new capital, Fatehpur Sikri. Later he opened Ibadat Khana to people of all religions.

Akbar also introduced a number of social and educational reforms. He stopped sati, widow remarriage was also legalised. The age of marriage was raised. The sale of wines and spirits were restricted. He also revised the educational syllabus, laying more emphasis on moral education and mathematics, and on secular subjects such as agriculture, geometry, astronomy etc. He also gave patronage to artists, poets, painters, etc, so much so that his court became famous for the galaxy of renowned people known as ‘navratna’

Thus, under Akbar, the state became essentially secular, liberal and enlightened in social matters and a promoter of cultural integration.