Akbar's Administrative and Social Policies
Write well-organized, thoughtful essay on one of the topics listed below. In your essay, you must use quotations and examples from all readings listed for each question. You may refer to lectures and class discussions but please DO NOT use information provided on the internet. Use of Wikipedia or any other online sources would result in a negative grade. Have confidence in your own reading and analytical skills!!
• Your essays should be four-five pages, double-spaced with one inch margin. Do remember to insert page numbers. Accepted file types: word doc, docx, and pdf.
• At the end of your essay, include a brief reflection paragraph responding to a specific, open-ended question.
Topic One: Established in 1526, the Mughal empire was expanded and consolidated by Akbar, the third Mughal emperor. In your essay, first analyze Akbar’s administrative and social policies and then explain how his policies helped him create a vast, multiethnic empire. You must examine at least two of his policies, but feel free to refer to more than two policies.
Reflective Paragraph: Do you think Akbar represented an Indo-Islamic culture? How?
Readings:
-Catherine Asher and Cynthia Talbot, India before Europe, Ch. 5, “Sixteenth Century North India” (Moodle Reading for Oct 3 and Oct 5).
- Metcalf and Metcalf, Ch. 1, pp. 14-18.
-“Akbar’s Religious Outlook” (Primary Source, posted on Moodle for Oct 5)
-You can also refer to the movie, Jodha-Akbar
Akbar's Administrative and Social Policies
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Akbar's Administrative and Social Policies
It was a daunting task for anyone to administer the huge Indian subcontinent in the Middle Ages. Such a time was characterized by constant wars and revolts that saw rules unable to govern their territories for a long time without the risk of being overthrown. However, the Mughals came up with organizational designs beyond their time. They left a political inheritance that is admirable. When Akbar succeeded his dad, he continued the legacy that had already been established. However, it is important to note that his first several years of reign were fraught with problems. He had to be content with the Sur claimants who wanted to win the throne back to themselves. Fortunately, Akbar defeated them in 1560. He created a vast Mughal territory that saw more nations submit to his authority. This essay focuses on Akbar's administrative and social policies that made his reign possible.
Akbar consolidated power to himself through tactical administrative moves. According to Asher and Talbot (127), Akbar reorganized the Mughal army to consolidate power. He gave all the Mughal officers specific numeric ranks that ranged from 10 to 50,000. The officers with a rank of 500 or more were considered noble. The high the position an officer attained, the more the number of horseback riders he could have under his charge. Hence, Akbar's administration was based on the need to recruit more armed men. The administration depended largely on the ability of the high-ranking people to induct influential men, who would recruit their relatives and community networks to ensure that the army had the much-needed supply. Akbar went ahead to centralize his administration. He ensured that the executive, judicial and legislative powers were under him. While Akbar was not tyrannical, his word was final. The ruler ensured that the most loyal people achieved the highest ranks so that he could remain in power. Akbar ensured that a majority of the officers were of Asian origin. In the higher ranks, Akbar instituted his close relatives. The rank holders were given a portion of land to provide their income. Sometimes, the rank holders would receive their salaries directly from the royal treasury. The officers exercised power in their respective territories. Akbar would reward the rank holders' excellent performance by changing the assigned lands' size and location. Akbar ensured the officers were paid well since he needed them to maintain the various zones. He ensured that the officers working under him had better conditions to undertake his policies effectively.
Akbar recognized the need to allow individuals from different religious backgrounds to practice their beliefs freely. Akbar's policies, like state sponsorship of pilgrims visiting the Hajj to Mecca, received a warm welcome from orthodox Muslims. He demonstrated his respect for the Islamic faith, which drew admiration from the group. However, Akbar also showed interest in non-Muslim practices and belief systems. For instance, Akbar provided tax-free lands to Hindu and Jain temples. In 1579, Akbar decreed that he had the ultimate authority on religious matters (Asher a...