During the fifteenth century, a number of rulers in different parts of the country had tried to promote greater understanding between the Hindus and the Muslims by having secular and religious literature in Sanskrit translated into Persian, by giving patronage to local languages and literature. Akbar had implemented several strategies to unite all of India in his vision of a 'Mughal Union’. However, some of his strategies were rejected by Indian Muslims because they were controversial and deviated from the true teachings of Islam. In this article, we will discuss the Integration of State During Mughals which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Integration of State - Features

• Akbar successfully attempted to integrate all religious people by adopting a liberal policy of religious toleration and, in some cases, by giving important jobs, such as service at the court and in the army, to Hindus.
• Contemporary popular saints such as Chaitanya, Kabir, and Nanak (who lived in different parts of the country) emphasised the essential unity of Islam and Hinduism, emphasising a religion based on love and devotion rather than rituals or a literal interpretation of revealed books.
• One of the first actions Akbar took after taking power was to abolish the jizyah (tax) that non-Muslims were required to pay in a Muslim state.
• Akbar also abolished the pilgrimage tax on bathing in holy places such as Prayag and Banaras.
• Furthermore, Akbar prohibited the practise of forcibly converting prisoners of war to Islam.
• From the beginning, Akbar was successful in assembling a group of intellectuals with liberal ideas at his court. Abul Fazl and his brother Faizi were the most famous scholars at the time.
• The mullahs, however, persecuted both of them for sympathising with Mahdawi ideas.
• Mahesh Das (a Brahman), also known as Raja Birbal, was one of Akbar's most trusted nobles.
• They thus created an environment in which liberal sentiments and views could flourish, and religious narrowness began to be despised. This was the environment in which Akbar was born and raised.

Conquest of India Policy

• Akbar's conquest of India policy was one of his efforts to unite India under the Mughals. After defeating Hemu in the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556, Akbar's troops advanced as far as Deccan.
• The first stage of the conquest began in 1561, with the Bengal territory as the target area. Malwa, which was ruled by a Hindu king, was the first city to fall to the Mughals.
• The sieges of Chittor and Ranthambore by Akbar dealt a crushing blow to the Rajput armies. In 1569, Raja Ramchandra, the ruler of Kalinjar, voluntarily surrendered his city to Akbar.
• Akbar continued his military mission to Gujarat, which was known for its ports, in 1572.
• Akbar took a naval route to Bengal in 1574. Daud Khan, the ruler of Bengal, was taken aback by Akbar's tactics because he assumed the emperor was not interested in maritime activities.
• However, Akbar's charge was a reaction to Daud Khan's break with the Mughals and self-proclamation as sultan.
• Furthermore, Daud Khan attempted to conquer several Rajput-controlled territories. Because Daud Khan had fled earlier, Akbar's assault on Bengal was unopposed once more.
• Mirza Muhammad Hakim, Akbar's younger stepbrother and ruler of Kabul, rebelled and declared himself Emperor of Mughal in 1581.
• Mirza Hakim captured Punjab and plotted to conquer all of India with the help of a senior Mughal government official, Khwaja Mansur.
• Akbar then marched his army north into India. In July 1585, Akbar had conquered Kabul and was now plotting his conquest of other regions such as Sind, Kandahar, and Kashmir.
• After conquering wealthy regions such as Swat, Bajaur, and Buner, his operation to the north was a success.
• Kashmir fell to Akbar in 1586, followed by Sind in 1590. The Mughals conquered Baluchistan and Kandahar in 1595.
• The Mughals' successful conquest of northern India elevated Akbar to the status of a great ruler feared by his contemporaries.
• Following his victory over northern India, Akbar turned his attention to the Deccan territories, which housed many small and localised Muslim kingdoms.
• During this time, Akbar defeated several small kingdoms ruled by Nizam Shahi, including Khandesh, Berar, Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Golkonda, and Bedar.
• In 1591, Akbar took the initiative to send emissaries to the leaders of the Deccan territories to discuss the proposed unification of India.

Liberal Policies of Akbar

• The liberal policies of Akbar laid the groundwork for an empire based on equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religious beliefs.
• The empire's liberal principles were strengthened by elevating capable Hindus to the nobility.
• While the majority of these were Rajput rajas, many of whom had matrimonial relationships with Akbar and with whom he had a personal relationship, mansabs were also given to others based on their competence.
• Among the latter, the most capable and well-known were Todar Mal, an expert in revenue affairs who rose to the position of diwan, and Birbal, the emperor's personal favorite. Others included Rai Patr Das, also known as Rai Bikramajit.

Attitude Towards Hindus

• Akbar's attitude toward his Hindu subjects is inextricably linked to his ideas about how a sovereign should treat his subjects.
• These views, as meticulously explained by Akbar's biographer, Abul Fazl, were a synthesis of Timurid, Persian, and Indian concepts of sovereignty.
• According to Abul Fazl, the office of a true ruler was one of great responsibility that relied on divine illumination (farr-i-izadi). As a result, no one could stand in the way of God and a true ruler.
• A true ruler is distinguished by a paternal love for his subjects without regard for sect or creed, a large heart that attends to the wishes of great and small, prayer and devotion, and a daily increasing trust in God, who is regarded as the true ruler.
• It was also the ruler's responsibility to keep society in balance by not allowing people of one profession to interfere with the duties and obligations of another.
• Above all, he was not to let the dust of sectarianism rise. All of this was referred to as the sulh-kul policy, which meant "peace to all."

Equality Policy of Akbar

• In administrative matters, Akbar treated all of his subjects equally, regardless of race or religion. Many Hindu nobles were appointed to important policy-making positions by Akbar.
• In his reformation of the education system, Akbar provided equal educational opportunities for all, allowing Hindu children to attend schools established by Muslims.
• Throughout the provinces, schools, madrasahs, and educational institutions were established, and the workforce was chosen from among the qualified and competent, regardless of race or religion.
• Scholarships were offered, and free education was made available to those in need.
• Furthermore, women's education was given special attention, as it was reported that Akbar established a foundation specifically for the women of his palace.
• In the economy, Akbar implemented reforms, particularly in taxation, which was seen as a burden on the people.
• Certain taxes levied on farmers and the poor, such as land sales tax, livestock sales tax, sales tax, market tax, clothing tax, and house purchase tax, were repealed.
• He also abolished the fees that were previously paid to certain officials in exchange for their services.
• To ensure equal treatment for all of his subjects, Akbar abolished Hindu-specific taxes.

Social Integration

• From a social standpoint, Akbar made laws prohibiting polygamy because he considered the practise to be harmful to one's health and personal peace.
• He even believed that polygamy was the cause of marital breakdown, causing societal problems. In the name of racial integration and harmony, Akbar encouraged interfaith marriages.
• In 1562, he set an example by marrying a Hindu Rajput princess, daughter of the King of Amber. The marriage strengthened ties between the Mughals and several Hindu kingdoms in Rajputana.
• His son Salim also married a Hindu princess, the daughter of Baghwan Das.
• The practise of enslaving war prisoners, particularly children and women, was abolished. This was done because Akbar believed that all Indians, regardless of race or religion, were free and should live free.
• Akbar also strictly prohibited Hindu sati rituals, considering them to be pointless.

Conclusion

Akbar took a number of steps to improve understanding between Hindus and Muslims. Through these measures, he created an environment in which liberal views could flourish and, eventually, people's cultural and emotional integration could develop. Akbar's success in uniting India under a single rule, the Mughal Empire, ranks him among the greatest Mughal leaders. In fact, his accomplishment is regarded as a great feat, comparable to Emperor Asoka's achievement during the latter's reign during the classical Indian civilization era.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which Mughal emperor is credited with the policy of religious tolerance known as Sulh-e-Kul?

A) Akbar
B) Babur
C) Aurangzeb
D) Jahangir

2. What was the primary purpose of the Mansabdari system introduced by Akbar?

A) To facilitate the efficient collection of land revenue
B) To recruit soldiers for the Mughal army
C) To organize the nobility and military officials
D) To establish religious tolerance

3. Which battle marked the beginning of Mughal control over large parts of India?

A) Battle of Panipat (1526)
B) Battle of Khanwa (1527)
C) Battle of Talikota (1565)
D) Battle of Plassey (1757)

4. Which Mughal emperor is known for his policy of using Rajput rulers as allies in his administration?

A) Humayun
B) Akbar
C) Shah Jahan
D) Aurangzeb

5. What was the result of the Battle of Haldighati (1576) between the Mughals and Rana Pratap?

A) Victory for the Mughals
B) Victory for Rana Pratap
C) Stalemate, no clear victor
D) A decisive defeat for both sides

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the Mughal integration policy and its impact on the regional kingdoms of India during the reign of Akbar.

Answer: Akbar’s integration policy aimed to consolidate the vast Mughal empire by balancing military conquest with political alliances. His policies, such as forming matrimonial alliances with Rajput kings and offering positions in the administration to local elites, helped neutralize opposition from regional kingdoms. This approach fostered political stability and unity within the empire. Moreover, Akbar’s religious tolerance, administrative reforms, and inclusion of non-Muslims in governance played a pivotal role in integrating the diverse cultures of India into the Mughal system. The impact of this policy was long-lasting, as it created a foundation for Mughal dominance and led to the inclusion of various regional kingdoms under Mughal suzerainty, thereby centralizing control over India.

Q2: Evaluate the role of the Mansabdari system in the governance and integration of states during the Mughal Empire.

Answer: The Mansabdari system was one of the cornerstones of Mughal governance, functioning as both a military and administrative tool. By assigning officials (mansabdars) ranks based on military service and administrative duties, the Mughals created an efficient bureaucracy that helped integrate diverse regions into the empire. Mansabdars were given land assignments, which they used to raise soldiers, thus ensuring loyalty to the emperor. The system also allowed the Mughal Empire to maintain control over vast territories by decentralizing authority while ensuring centralized command. The incorporation of local rulers and elites into the system further facilitated regional integration and stability.

Q3: How did the Mughal policy of religious tolerance affect the political integration of India?

Answer: The Mughal policy of religious tolerance, particularly under Akbar, was instrumental in ensuring ChatGPT said: ChatGPT the political integration of India. By adopting the Sulh-e-Kul (universal peace) policy, Akbar not only ensured peace between different religious communities but also expanded his political support base among Hindus, Rajputs, and Muslims. The abolition of the jizya tax and the inclusion of Hindus in high positions in administration and military promoted a sense of inclusiveness and loyalty to the Mughal Empire. This approach facilitated the integration of the diverse Indian subcontinent, aligning regional kingdoms and local elites with the central authority, and helped mitigate regional revolts that could have fractured the empire.

Previous Year Questions on Integration of States During Mughals

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018 (General Studies Paper I):

Question: Who was the first Mughal emperor to incorporate Rajput kings into the Mughal administrative system?

A) Akbar
B) Babur
C) Jahangir
D) Aurangzeb

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Akbar was the first Mughal emperor to adopt a policy of alliance with Rajput kings. He not only married Rajput princesses but also appointed Rajput nobles to important administrative and military posts, thereby ensuring their loyalty and integrating the Rajputs into the Mughal administration.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2017 (General Studies Paper 1):

Question: Assess the significance of Akbar’s religious policy in promoting political integration during the Mughal Empire.

Answer: Akbar’s religious policy, especially Sulh-e-Kul, promoted religious tolerance and unity. By abolishing the jizya tax, marrying Rajput princesses, and involving non-Muslims in governance, he created an inclusive system that integrated diverse Indian communities into the Mughal political structure. This policy also helped in reducing opposition from regional powers, thus contributing to the overall political consolidation of the Mughal Empire.