Write a short note on Akbar's administrativepolicies.
Akbar's administrative policies were mentioned in Abul Fazl's book the Akbar Nama, particularly in its third and last volume, the Ain-i Akbari In the book Abul Fazl explained that the empire was divided into provinces known as Subas, governed by a Subadar. The Subadar carried out both political and military functions. Each province also had a financial officer or Diwan. For the maintenance of peace and order in his province, the Subadar was supported by several officers, for example
Akbar wanted to govern his empire peacefully. Hence he gave utmost importance to the idea of tolerance because it did not discriminate between people of different religions in his realm. He held religions discussions with the Ulama, Brahmanas, Jesuit priests who were Roman Catholics and Zoroastrians and came to the conclusion that the idea of sulh-i kul or ‘universal peace' would work effectively. This idea focused on a system of ethics, honesty, justice and peace. These values were universally accepted. Thus, Akbar's administrative policies were based on considerate ideas.
Why was it a difficult task for rulers of the Middle Ages to rule the Indian subcontinent?
Like the Mughal Empire, India today is also made up of many social and cultural units. Does this pose a challenge to national integration?
Why was it important for the Mughals to recruit mansabdars from diverse backgrounds and not just Turanis and Iranis
What qualities of the Mughals enabled them to extend their influence over many kings and chieftains? [V. Imp.]
How were the debates with religious scholars important in the formation of Akbar's ideas on governance?
Peasants were vital for economy of the Mughal Empire. Do you think that they are as important today? Has the gap in the income between the rich and the poor in India changed a great deal from the period of the Mughals?
The Mughal Empire left its impact on the different regions of the subcontinent in a variety of ways. Find out if it had any impact in the city, village or region in which you live.
Match the following:
mansab – Marwar
Mongol – governor
Sisodiya Rajput – Uzbeg
Rathor Rajput – Mewar
Nur Jahan – rank
subadar – Jahangir
What do you know about the Mughal relations with other rulers especially the Rajputs? [Imp.]
Why did the peasantry suffer a lot during the last years of Aurangzeb's reign? [V. Imp.]
Fill in the blanks:
(a) The capital of Mirza Hakim, Akbar's half-bro: her, was …………………
(b) The five Deccan Sultanate were Berar, Khandesh, Ahmadnagar,
(c) If zat determined a mansabdar's rank and salary, sewar indicated his………………………
(d) Abul Faze, Akbar's friend and counsellor, helped him frame the idea of …………. so that he could govern a society composed of many religions, cultures and castes.
Contrast the Mughals to their predecessors. [V. Imp.]
Or
How were the Mughals greater than their predecessors?
Divide Akbar's reign into three periods and give details about them.
Or
Mention the major campaigns and events of Akbar's reign.
Awangzeb, did not follow the Mughals' policy and insulted Shivaji when he came to accept Mughal authority. What was the consequence of this insult? [Imp.]