Akbar's Administrative Policies Essay

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How did Akbar’s administrative policies lead to the economic up rise for India during his rule?
Word Count: 1914
By Bhavya Mital

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Table of Contents
Section A: Plan of Investigation
Section B: Summary of Evidence
#1 Religious tolerance
#2 Government structure
#3 Foreign (Industry, Trade, Imperial)
Section C: Evaluation of Sources
Extract A
Extract B
Section D: Analysis
Section E: The Final Conclusion
Section F: Bibliography

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Section A: Plan of Investigation

The research question to be investigated is, how did Akbar's administrative policies lead to the economic up rise for India during his rule? This investigation takes on the economic climax of
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the Mughal Empire, and how the policy changes of Akbar impacted this. Was it his religious
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toleration that most impacted economic stability that changed the Empire? As exposed by
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StanleyLane Poole. Or was it his 'autocratic centralism' government? As researched by Anil
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Askin. Or was it foreign relations that really helped the Mughal Empire to prosper? as broughttolight by S.M., Ikram, and Ainslie T. Embree. Different time periods can affect different points of views. Nowadays people tend to have more neutral image of things, rather than orthodox mindset, because of more exposure and acceptance of different cultures, seen in two works: Anil’s work, compared to Poole’s 105 years older work. Historians may have more access to resources now, more than before. Or maybe the opposite can be true; the closer the research is to the time period, the more reliable it may be. Word Count: 175

Akbar inherited from his father, Humayun, at the age of 14. He was left with a kingdom comprised of many frail fiefs. At first, he was supported by Bairam Khan, who established regional stability in the region with his military. Once Akbar took full control of the empire by firing Bairam, he initiated a completely different form of governance. 2
Stanley LanePoole. "Akbar's Reforms The Divine Faith." In
History of India
. Edited by Jackson
A.V. Williams, 2550. Vol. 4. Dublin. 1906 3
Anil Askin. "The Material Grounds of the Rule of Akbar." Bogazici Political Economy Society. March
7, 2014. 4 S.M. Ikram, and Ainslie T. Embree. "Muslim Civilization in India." Muslim Civilization in India.
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Section B: Summary of Evidence
#1 Religious tolerance

Built a temple, ibadatkhana, where all the different religions can come, debate, and teach
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their faith to Akbar.

Mazhar (infallibility decree) a declaration that allowed Akbar to create interreligious
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and multicultural Dynasty.

In 1582, Akbar developed the "Divine Faith", a faith that combined Islam, Hinduism,
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Jainism, Zoroastrianism, and some of Christianity and Judaism.

Akbar himself participated in religious activities from many different religions: Islam,
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Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity were the most prominent

Akbar abolished slavery of the wives and children of the men in opposition to him. He also did not let his soldiers in his armies take advantage of these vulnerable people. These
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he did out of recognition for God.

The idea of utilitarianism brings ‘pragmatism’, as it’s a necessary byproduct that fulfills the argument surrounded by ‘toleration’ is what made persecutions, conducted by Akbar,
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effective.

Akbar had proved a mighty conqueror, but in the course of his conquests he had also
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proved himself a brilliant and innovative ruler by the virtue of his religious reforms. Bio. "Akbar the Great". Biography.com Ibid.
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Stanley LanePoole. "The Divine Faith" (
History of India)
. 36.
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Ibid.
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Ibid.
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Anil Askin.
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Arthur Vincent Smith. "Akbar: the Great Moghul". A summary. In
Makers of World History.
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vol 2. Oxford: At The Clarendon Press. 1917. 47

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#2 Government

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