History & Civics [4 Mark Question Answer]

Akbar formed a new religious order which was called Din- i-Ilahi or divine faith. The main features of this religion were belief in one God and recognition of the emperor as God’s representative on earth. Din-i-Ilahi was more like a code of conduct and there was no sacred books, no priestly classes, no places of worship, and no rituals in it.
The main objective of establishing it was to provide a religious order which would be acceptable to the Hindu, Muslims and other communities and to promote universal brotherhood and national unity.

Akbar took the following steps to transform the Islamic state into a secular one and unite the diverse races in the country into a single nation based on equality:

1. He abolished the Jizya tax which was imposed by earlier Muslim rulers on all non-Muslim subjects and pilgrim tax imposed on Hindus visiting places of pilgrimage.
2. He allowed Hindus to build temples, celebrate festivals, and worship freely. He even allowed his Hindu wives to celebrate festivals like Holi and Diwali.
3. He gave high posts to talented and competent Hindus in his court, examples are Todar Mai, Birbal, and Raja Bhagwan Das.
4. He married Rajput princesses and allowed them freedom of worship.
5. He granted land to all persons irrespective of their religious faith.

Todar Mai introduced a land revenue system known as Todar Mai’s Bandobast.

1. 1. The land was surveyed and measured with a bamboo jarib joined together with iron rings instead of the hemp rope used earlier.
   2. The land was grouped into four categories depending on whether it was regularly or occasionally cultivated. It was classified further into good, middling, and bad categories.
   3. The average produce and the average price over the past 10 years were calculated. The revenue was calculated on the basis of these averages. One-third of the average produce was the king’s share. It could be paid in cash or kind, though cash was preferred.
   4. The revenue officers were instructed to treat the peasants well.
   5. Loans which could be paid back in easy installments were advanced to the peasants to buy seeds, cattle, and implements.
   6. If the crops failed due to drought or flood, the state granted remission of revenue.

The emperor was assisted by a team of ministers and officials for the proper administration of the empire.
Their names and functions are as follows:

1. 1. Wazir Dewan: He was the head of the revenue department.
   2. Mir Bakshi: He was the head of the military department and the paymaster of all mansabdars
   3. Chief Sadr or the Qazi: He was the chief judge.
   4. Mir saman: He was the supervisor of the royal household.
   5. Vakil: He was the head of the advisory board.

The Rajputs of Mewar, however, refused to submit. Having lost Chittor, their capital city, they rallied around Rana Pratap, the valiant son of Udai Singh. After his escape to the hills, Udai Singh had built a new capital called Udaipur.
After Udai Singh’s death, Rana Pratap carried on the struggle against the Mughals. With a great deal of difficulty, Rana Pratap organized and army and clashed with the Mughal forces in the Battle of Haldighati in 1576 ce. The Mughal forces were led by the Rajput chief, Raja Man Singh of Amber.
The Rajputs were outnumbered and defeated by the Mughal army. Rana Pratap took shelter in a mountain fortress and continued his efforts to recover Chittor. He was able to recover parts of his territories before his death, but not Chittor.

The Rana of Mewar was considered to be the head of the Rajput clans. He refused to submit to Akbar and rejected his proposal of a matrimonial alliance. Akbar marched against Chittor, the capital city of Mewar. Udai Singh escaped to the hills, leaving the defense of Chittor to Jai Mai, the commander of the Rajput forces. For 4 months, the Mughal army tried in vain to capture the fort of Chittor. Resistance collapsed when Jai Mai was killed. All the Rajput women performed Jauhar. The heroic Rajputs rushed out in a desperate bid to destroy the enemy. They perished fighting.
The capture of Chittor was followed by the fall of Ranthambore. By 1570 ce, practically all the Rajput princes had accepted Akbar as their overlord.

Initially, the style of architecture was Persian, for instance, Humayun’s Tomb. However, with the passage of time, Akbar’s architectural style became more and more Indian. Inspired by the palaces of Hindu rajas, Akbar’s later buildings reflect Rajput traditions. Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s new capital city, contains many interesting Rajput-style buildings made of sandstone. It is referred to as a dream in stone. Among the many fine buildings are the Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai’s Palace, and the Buland Darwaza.

Akbar realized that the support of the Rajputs was necessary to build a powerful empire.
For this he adopted the following policy:

1. Akbar treated the Rajputs with honour and equality and won their respect and loyalty.
2. He married Rajput princesses to strengthen his ties with Rajputs.
3. He appointed Rajputs on High posts in his court to win their friendship, loyalty, and cooperation.
4. He abolished the Jizya and pilgrim tax levied on Hindus.
5. Akbar did not annex the kingdoms of the Rajput rulers but only asked them to recognize him as their overlord and pay him regular tribute. The result of adopting this policy was that Akbar won the loyalty and support of the Rajputs, Who formed the backbone of a strong and stable empire.