From 1526 to 1857 AD, India had seen a rise in Islam and its domination in the country. Islam was not new to India, it had been established in the eighth century. From the 12th century to the 19th century, it was the religion of the ruling class and as a result, it expanded in the country. Bhakti movement, Sufi movement and Sikhism were other new religious ideas and beliefs. In this article, we will discuss Religious ideas and beliefs during Mughal Empire which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Rise of Islamic Ideas in India

• When the Sultanate or Turks founded their dominion in north India, Islam was already there in India.
• Islam had been established in Sindh and Punjab in the eighth century and Arab travellers were settled in Kerala.
• With the Mughals, Islam was on the rise and many people started to follow it.
• Akbar was fascinated by religion and philosophy.
• He owed a great deal of respect to the state's top qazi, Abdun Nabi Khan, who held the position of sadr-us-sudur.
• Akbar even carried his slippers for him on one occasion.
• Initially, Akbar was a devout Muslim. However, by the time Akbar reached adulthood, he had become liberal and tolerant.
• During Aurangzeb, forceful conversion was a common phenomenon. It raised the Islamic devotees in India but declined the Islamic principles.

Bhakti Movement

• The bhakti movement was led by a group of well-known saints known as the Nayanmars and Alvars.
• They saw religion as a living bond based on love between the god and the worshipper, rather than as cold, formal worship. Siva and Vishnu were the primary deities they worshipped.
• During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Bhakti Movement grew rapidly.
• The movement brought about social reforms in the country.
• The prominent exponent of Bhakti in Maharashtra was at Pandharpur, which had developed into the hub of the Maharashtra Dharma.
• In Maharashtra, worship of Vithoba, a form of Vishnu, had gained popularity.
• Tukaram used to perform puja to the god with his own hands; he claims to have been born a shudra.
• The orthodox components of the two major religions, Hinduism and Islam, were not anticipated to readily adopt such beliefs and practises.
• Raghunandan of Navadwipa (Nadia) in Bengal mirrored the views of the traditional Hindus.
• He was regarded as the most significant author of the Dharmashastras during the Middle Ages. He defended the rights of the Brahmans, claiming that only they had the authority to preach or read the scriptures.
• The Bhakti movement had an unprecedented impact on Indian society and worked for socio-cultural unity.

Sufi Movement

• The occurrence of Sufi philosophy in India is supposed to have occurred after 1200 AD.
• Sufis were devoted Muslims who followed the Shara (Islamic law) and thought it to be the only road to salvation.
• They ascribed esoteric meaning to the Quran's teachings and regarded internal light or intuitive experience as more important than traditional dogmatic rigidity.
• A Silsilah was usually headed by a notable mystic who resided with his students in a khanqah or hospice.
• The Sufi system relied heavily on the relationship between the instructor, or pir, and his students, or murids.
• Sufism laid the groundwork for mutual tolerance and understanding.
• With these preachings of mutual unity, a tiny fraction of the orthodox ulama condemned it.
• Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was the most well-known member of the orthodox and revivalist Muslim movement at the time.
• He was an adherent of the traditional Naqshbandi school of Sufis, which Akbar had brought to India during his rule.
• He condemned the idea of pantheistic mysticism or the unity of God and the created being, and declared it to be un-Islamic.
• He demanded the reinstatement of jizyah, a strict stance toward the Hindus, and a minimal level of Muslim interaction with them in order to emphasise the Islamic character of the state.
• Despite the conflict between Sufis and the orthodox, the Sufi movement spread throughout India.

Sikh Movement

• The teachings of Nanak were the catalyst for the Sikh movement in Punjab and the institution of guruship has a strong influence on its development.
• The first four gurus carried on the tradition of contemplative study and meditation.
• The Adi-Granth or Granth Sahib, a compendium of the Sikh texts, was finished by the fifth teacher, Arjun Das.
• To highlight how the guru integrated both worldly and spiritual leadership, Guru Arjun started to live in an aristocratic manner to emphasise that the guru integrated both spiritual and material leadership in his person.
• He built grand structures in Amritsar, dressed well, had magnificent horses sourced from Central Asia, and kept retainers in his service.
• In order to advance the cause, he also established a system of collecting donations from Sikhs at a rate of one-tenth of their income.
• Akbar reportedly paid a visit to the Sikh gurus in Amritsar after being extremely impressed by them.
• However, a conflict sprang out when Jahangir imprisoned and killed Guru Arjun and then this conflict increased with time.

Conclusion

The social, political, cultural, and religious movements that arose in various parts of India during the Mughal period attempted to bind the people together in a harmonious chord. Though, there was a barrier to the growing process of tolerance and approachability among the two religions. During Aurangzeb's reign, the conflict between the two trends became apparent. However, during the eighteenth century, Akbar's broad, liberal approach to religion was revitalised and adopted as the standard.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which Mughal emperor is most known for promoting religious tolerance and inclusiveness?

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

2. Which Mughal emperor introduced the policy of Sulh-e-Kul?

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

3. What was the Din-i Ilahi?

A) A Hindu reform movement
B) A syncretic religion introduced by Akbar
C) A Buddhist philosophy
D) A Sufi order

4. Which Mughal emperor is known for implementing a strict orthodox religious policy?

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

5. What was the main feature of the Mughal emperor Akbar’s religious reforms?

A) Religious exclusivity
B) Religious tolerance and inclusivity
C) Promotion of one religion
D) Favoring only Muslims

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the impact of Akbar's religious policies on the Mughal Empire and its administration.

Answer: Akbar’s religious policies played a significant role in shaping the Mughal Empire’s administration. His policy of religious tolerance, epitomized by Sulh-e-Kul, helped bridge the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims, especially Hindus, in his empire. By appointing Hindus to high positions, abolishing the Jizya tax, and promoting interfaith dialogues, Akbar fostered a sense of unity and inclusion. His policies ensured that the administration was more representative and brought social harmony, which contributed to political stability and economic prosperity during his reign. However, his successors, especially Aurangzeb, moved towards a more orthodox approach, which led to internal conflicts and regional revolts, weakening the empire.

Q2: Discuss the role of religious ideas in the Mughal Empire’s art and architecture.

Answer: The religious ideas during the Mughal Empire played a significant role in influencing its art and architecture. Mughal emperors, particularly Akbar, encouraged a blend of Islamic, Persian, and Indian styles, resulting in a unique form of architecture that reflected religious harmony. Structures like the Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s tomb, and the Taj Mahal exemplify the fusion of Islamic architecture with local styles, reflecting the diversity of religious influences in the empire. Mughal art also depicted religious themes, combining Persian miniature traditions with indigenous Indian art forms. This syncretic style became a hallmark of Mughal culture, promoting religious inclusivity through art and architecture.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of Aurangzeb’s religious policies on the Mughal Empire’s unity.

Answer: Aurangzeb’s religious policies had a profound impact on the unity of the Mughal Empire. His reimposition of the Jizya tax, destruction of certain temples, and strict adherence to orthodox Sunni Islam alienated non-Muslim communities, particularly Hindus, who had enjoyed greater religious freedoms under Akbar. These policies led to discontent among various religious and regional communities, contributing to the weakening of the Mughal administration. The internal revolts, such as those led by the Marathas, Rajputs, and Sikhs, gained momentum during his reign, challenging Mughal authority. The shift to religious orthodoxy under Aurangzeb undermined the inclusive policies of earlier rulers and played a significant role in the eventual decline of the Mughal Empire.

Previous Year Questions on Religious Ideas and Beliefs during the Mughal Empire

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: The Mughal emperor who promoted religious tolerance and abolished the Jizya tax was:

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Akbar is known for his policy of religious tolerance, including the abolition of the Jizya tax on non-Muslims, as part of his inclusive governance approach.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Discuss the religious policies of Akbar and how they influenced the political and cultural landscape of the Mughal Empire.

Answer: Akbar's religious policies, which emphasized tolerance and inclusivity, had a lasting impact on the Mughal Empire. By abolishing the Jizya tax, promoting interfaith dialogues, and appointing Hindus to significant positions in his administration, Akbar ensured a balanced representation of various communities. His promotion of the Din-i Ilahi reflected an effort to synthesize various religious teachings, which helped in maintaining political stability and fostering cultural exchange between different communities. This policy of inclusivity was key in the Mughal Empire’s success and its ability to maintain control over a diverse population.