Neither Babar’s faith nor Humayun’s was strong, how did the Mughals make religion a weapon for political gains?

The Mughals ruled India for three hundred and fifty years.

The trend of using religion for political gains is not new. This recipe was continuously tried during the Mughal era. Sometimes to regain the lost state, sometimes to strengthen the hold on the government or to win over the enemies to one’s side. In reality, during the era of monarchy, there was no need for the hypocrisy of using religion as a means for political gain but looking away from it. Sunni Babur accepted the condition of adopting Shia faith in return for help from the Emperor of Iran. Then when the work was done it was overturned.

After losing to Sher Shah, his son Humayun also took refuge in the Emperor of Iran. Reminding his father of breaking his promise, the king put the same condition before him. Humayun also accepted Shia faith at that time but later turned his attention. Read some stories related to the Mughal emperors regarding the relationship between politics and religion.

Then Babar turned

The Mughals ruled India for three hundred and fifty years. Its foundation was laid by Babar of Taimur dynasty. Before entering India, Babar fought many battles in Fargana, Samarkand and Central Asia. At that time Uzbek power was growing rapidly in Central Asia. Muhammad Shaybani Khan was one of the biggest rivals of Babar.

Babar alone was not able to overcome him. He sought help from Iran’s Safavid ruler Shah Ismail I. Shah established Safavid rule in Iran in 1501. He made Shiaism the state religion. For help against the Uzbeks, Shah put a condition before Babur to accept Shia faith. Babar then accepted it. Adopted it in practice for some days. But later Babar reversed.

When the work was done, Humayun also forgot the condition.

The Shah of Iran had not forgotten this breach of promise by the Mughals. After Babar’s death in 1530, his son Humayun ascended the throne of India. Shershah Suri challenged him. In the competition, Humayun lost in the battles of Chausa and Kannauj. Humayun had to leave India. He went towards Sindh and then Iran. Like his father Babar, in his last hope he reached the court of the Safavid ruler of Iran. Shah was ready to help. But this time also his condition was that Humayun should accept Shia faith. Humayun agreed.

Shah told him not to forget our condition like his father. Humayun was not in a position to bargain at that time. Having lost his kingdom, he was wandering here and there. It was not possible to return to the old status without the help of a powerful emperor. With the help of Shah, Humayun once again moved towards India after the victory over Kandahar in 1545 and further gained power over Delhi. On the lines of Babar, Humayun also forgot the condition of Shiism of the Shah of Iran.

There was no religious conflict in Akbar’s politics.

Akbar is remembered as the most successful ruler in the Mughal dynasty. The main reason for this was that he did not allow religion to become a cause of conflict during his rule. For the expansion and strengthening of the empire, he presented himself as a ruler who does not have enmity with the followers of other religions for religious reasons. In the initial period, Akbar ruled on the Islamic path, but as his empire grew, he integrated different communities.

To bring together the powerful Rajputs, he established matrimonial relations with the royal family of Amer. The tax on pilgrims was abolished in 1563 and Jizya in 1564. In 1575, he built an Ibadat Khana in Fatehpur Sikri, where scholars of all religions used to sit together and communicate. According to historians, Akbar’s religious tolerance was a part of his governance style strategy, through which he could rule successfully while expanding his borders.

Jahangir on a different path

The generations following Akbar followed separate paths on religious issues in politics. Akbar’s emphasis was on Sulh-e-Kul. In comparison, during the times of Jahangir and Shahjahan, the influence of religion on politics was more Islamic and fundamentalist. Although Rajputs continued to have influence in the administration, they ordered the demolition of temples on many occasions, especially during wars. His son Khusro Mirza rebelled in 1606. While passing through Punjab, he met Sikh Guru Arjan Dev.

In his autobiography Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri, Jahangir wrote that Guru Arjan had many followers and was becoming a challenge to the rule. Jahangir imprisoned Guru ji in Lahore. He was killed on the orders of Jahangir by inhumane torture. There is difference of opinion among historians on its reason. One reason is considered to be rebel Khusro’s alleged support of Guru Arjundev. But in the opinion of a large section, by the time of Guru Arjan Dev, the Sikh sect had become a strong socio-religious community in Punjab. Sikhs were ready to die for religious freedom. Jahangir did not have the tolerance like Akbar. By brutally removing Guru Arjan Dev from the way, he gave a message to the Sikhs and Hindus to leave Akbar’s time and thoughts behind.

Emphasis on Islamic rules increased during the time of Shahjahan

Emphasis on Islamic principles increased in the politics of the next generation Shahjahan. His orders to ban the construction of temples and demolish some temples show that Akbar’s path was not acceptable to him either. In 1632, he demolished temples in Banaras and some other areas.

Rajputs and other Hindu chieftains remained a part of the Mughal power even during his time but their status was lower than that of Muslim chieftains. If compared with Akbar’s policies, Jahangir deviated from that path. Islamic influence increased further until the rule of Shahjahan. Although political efforts for widespread conversion did not take place during the rule of both of them, the message of the benefits of accepting Islam definitely reached the people through the policies of the government.

Aurangzeb gave religious garb to politics

Aurangzeb completely clothed politics in the garb of religion. There was no scope for any leniency for Hindus (infidels) under his rule. Aurangzeb implemented the Jizya tax which Akbar had given the message of religious tolerance and Hindu-Muslim harmony by abolishing it with full strictness. During his rule, there was destruction of temples and desecration of idols on a large scale.

By declaring Islam as the state religion, Shariat was made the basis of governance. The aim of his rule was to convert Dar-ul-Harv (country of infidels) India into Dar-ul-Islam through Jihad. For this, he deprived the non-Muslim subjects of their rights on political, social and religious aspects. Put additional burden on them financially. On the other hand, the Muslim preachers were given state protection, while on the other hand, by destroying Hindu temples and imposing restrictions on their festivals, they were made to realize at every step that they can get rid of these problems by accepting Islam. For this he went through both the paths of temptation and torture.

According to the famous historian Yadunath Sarkar, on the orders of Aurangzeb, a procession was taken out on elephants with musical instruments in honor of those who converted to religion. Some people got a salary of four annas per day. Preference was given in jobs. In land disputes, the decision would be given in favor of the party who accepted Islam. This was an easy way to get relief even in criminal cases. On the other hand, forced conversions took place despite fear of life. Aurangzeb’s politics of fanaticism created widespread dissatisfaction among the Hindu people and put them on the path of rebellion. Aurangzeb’s rule and policies played a major role in the decline of the Mughal Empire.

Also read: Aurangzeb got his brother killed by calling him an infidel, was he an enemy of Islam?