Inspiration: The need for building an All-India empire
1.
Secularization of supreme power
2.
To be fair to all
3.
Tolerance towards non-muslims
4.
Purpose of public welfare
Components of Akbar's kingship
1.
Mongol
tradition of Central Asia
2.
Timurid
tradition
3.
Iranian
tradition
4.
India's
Liberal Environment
5. Palace atmosphere
Features of Akbar's theory of Kingship
1.
Padshah
: Symbol of Permanence
A
clear and detailed explanation of Mughal kingship during Akbar's period by Abul
Fazl in Akbarnama. According to Abul Fazl, 'Padshah' is made up of two
words 'Pad'
and 'Shah' .
'Pad'
means 'permanence' and
'shah'
means 'lord' .
This shows that the padshah is a symbol of ownership and stability.
2.
Monarchy:
The Alternative to Anarchy
Abul
Fazl, the divine form of kingship was in fact an
alternative to political anarchy, "If there was no monarchy, the storm of unrest would
never have calmed down, nor selfish ambition would have ended the
human race, burdened with anarchy and senses, would sink into the abyss of
decline. The prosperity of this big market of the world would be destroyed and
the whole world would become barren."
3Farre-Izzdi ' or Divine Light
According
to Abul Fazl, ‘The
kingdom is the ray of the
sun emanating from the divine and the universal illuminator.’ He
refers to it as ‘Farre- ijdi’
or divine light. This 'Divine light' was
directly transmitted by God to the emperors. It is because of being present in
the emperors that people remain submissive and devoted to him with complete
reverence. He used to say that 'Special grace continues to flow from the
sun to the emperors.’ He showed respect to both the sun and the
fire.
4.
Kingship is a gift of god
According
to the interpretation of Abul Fazl,
kingship
is a gift of God and He does not bestow
it on any person unless the person has a
thousand great qualities. Hence ;
According to the above
explanation, the position of the emperor does
not come from belonging to a particular lineage or
abundance of wealth. But
it is the result of God's selection of a worthy and
virtuous person.
5.
Essentials for kingship
Abul
Fazl said that ,
the emperor had to be paternal towards his people
with equal
affection; They should be a generous, ever-increasing
faith, worship and devotion to God. Apart from this, other
important qualities, the inclusion of which Abul Fazl considered
necessary in the personality of the padshah. They were - pure intellect, fair
approach to justice, equal treatment to relatives and strangers, God-given
courage, hard work,
generosity and tolerance, equal
treatment towards all religions,
judicious decisions, suppression
of unreasonable desires and impulses,
character and generous.
To associate with individuals and to discuss and consult with them, not
to be influenced by others quickly and to have parental concern towards the
subjects.
6.
National
Aspiration of Sulah-i-Kul
In
simple sense, the policy of Sulah-i- Kul means peace for all and harmony among
all. The policy of the sulah-i-kul was based on a better understanding of the
composite culture of India by Akbar. Abul Fazl compared the four elements of
creation- fire, air, water and land with the four elements of society, the
army, the merchant, the intelligentsia and the productive class and talked
about unity among them . At the same time he tried to get a well organized
administrative class which is reflected in his Rajput policy.
7. Infallibility Decree (1579)
In
1579 AD , after being read 'Mahazar',
Akbar accepted himself to be the head of both religion and state. At the suggestion of Shaikh Mubarak, Akbar
decided to become Mujtahid. He was to act as the supreme arbiter in religious
matters. In September, 1579, Shaikh Mubarak produced a document in his own
handwriting which was drafted in such a way that Akbar became the supreme
arbiter in civil and ecclesiastical matters. Akbar was to act as the
Imam-i-Adil or the final interpreter of Muslim Law. This document was signed by
Makhdum-ul-Mulk, Shaikh Abdunnabi, Shaikh Mubarak and others. Dr. Smith calls
it the “infallibility decree.” This
made the power of the Ulema secondary compared to that of the
emperor.
Thus we can say that
in the period of Akbar,
The Mughal monarchy
reached its zenith. He is bestowed with adjectives like absolute, unlimited, supremely
holy and divine. He was above all classes and there was never any external or
foreign pressure on him.
Significance of Akbar's Kingship
1. Incorporation
of new elements
2. Broad
framework of governance
3. Defining Fundamental Principles of
Governance
4. Setting
high ideals
5. Establishment of secular element in
governance
6. Building
the intellectual base of governance
7. Association
of rajputs
8. King's highest spiritual physical
condition
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