Question

How were the debates with religious scholars important in the formation of Akbar’s ideas on governance?

Answer 1

Akbar’s interaction with people of different faiths made him realise those religious scholars who emphasised ritual and dogma were often bigots. Their teachings created divisions and disharmony amongst his subject. This finally led Akbar to the idea of Sulh-i Kul or universal peace. He inferred that the idea of tolerance was of utmost importance because it did not discriminate between people of different religious in his realm. Instead, it focused on a system of ethics f.e. honesty, justice, peace. These were the virtues universally applicable. Finally Akbar, with the help of Abul Fazl, formed a vision of governance around the idea of sulh-i kul.