The Mughals and the Policy of Tolerance in India

Abstract

The Mughal dynasty of India was one of the major dynasties of the Islamic world, which enabled the continuation of Islamic culture and civilization and practically marked one of the peaks of this magnificent civilization through its synthesis with Indian and Persian cultural achievements. The Mughal Empire in India represents one of the most significant empires in Islamic history. It was established in 1526 CE by Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur in the Indian subcontinent, a region characterized by diverse ethnicities and cultures, distinct from the Islamic world. The Mughals brought Islamic rule to this pluralistic region and established one of the most remarkable Islamic civilizations. The central issue of this study is to examine the role and significance of tolerance and forbearance in the power and glory of the Mughal government. In fact, the author seeks to explore the foundations of the rise and expansion of Islamic civilization in India, with an emphasis on the Mughals’ religious tolerance toward other religions and sects, while also identifying the contemporary faiths and religious communities residing in India during the Mughal period. Tolerance and forbearance, defined as leniency, peaceful coexistence, and the acceptance of differing beliefs and behaviors, are principles rooted in the divine religions, including Islam. By adopting religious tolerance and political moderation, the Mughal rulers solidified the foundations of their future empire. The implementation of such policies was crucial for maintaining unity in a society where various social groups and factions coexisted, each with distinct beliefs, customs, and traditions. In this study, the author employs a descriptive-analytical research method to address the aforementioned issues.