“The ideal of Sulh-i-kul was the corner stone of enlightened rule.” In the light of the above statement, make an assessment of the Akbar’s policy of Sulh-i-kul.
Abu’l Fazl described the ideal of Sulh-i-kul as the corner stone of enlightened rule:
(i) In sulh-i-Kul all religions and schools of thought had freedom of expression but on condition that they did not undermine the authority of the state or flight among themselves.
(ii) The ideal of sulh-i kul was implemented through state policies-the nobility under the mughals was a composite one comprising iranis, Turanis, Afghans, Rajputs, Deccanis-all of whom were given positions and awards purely on the basis of their service and loyalty to the king.
(iii) Akbar abolished the tax on pilgrimage in 1563 and Jizya in 1564 as the two were based on religious discrimination.
(iv) All Mughal emperors gave grants to support the building and maintenance of places of worship.
