Abu al-Fazl was the historian at the court of Akbar. He wrote a detailed history of Akbar’s reign which is known as Akbarnama. A’in-i Akbari is a part of it and deals with the rules and regulations of different administrative departments of the state.

In A’in-i Akbari, Abu al-Fazl explains the Mughal concept of kingship. Royalty, according to him, is the highest dignity in the eye of God. It is a light which emanates from Him. Abu al-Fazl calls royalty, “the divine light” — this light creates in king paternal love for his subjects and increases his trust in God.

Abu al-Fazl divides kings into two categories: true and selfish. Both types of kings possess the same ruling institutions: treasury, army, servants and subjects. But they distinguish themselves by their attitudes and behaviour. A true king uses these institutions for the welfare of his subjects, while the selfish king uses his power to fulfil his self-interest. According to Abu al-Fazl, all actions of the true king are divine, and, therefore, are to be accepted by the people without questioning.

Abu al-Fazl argues that a true king has the right to change the obsolete customs and traditions in society as Akbar did by abolishing the customs of sati (burning alive of widows) and child marriage among the Hindu community. According to Abu al-Fazl, the king has this right because he gets his guidance from God. By following this policy, the king treats his people with equality — irrespective of their religion and creed.

Peace with all

Akbar adopted the policy of sulh-i-kul or ‘peace with all’. He tried to end religious differences and to achieve this goal, he made every possible effort. In order to win the hearts of Hindus, he exempted them from paying the pilgrim tax at Mathura in 1563. In 1564, he also abolished the jizya (tax paid by non-Muslims) in order to end discrimination between the Hindus and the Muslims.

Akbar changed the policy of his predecessors and appointed Hindus on high posts which made them equal to Muslims.

Raja Todar Mal was appointed on the post of finance minister in Akbar’s court. Bhagwan Das and Maan Singh were also granted privileges and appointed as commanders to lead military campaigns against the Mughal opponents. Raja Bir Bal was the favourite courtier of Akbar. To understand Hindu religion and culture, Akbar made arrangements to translate epics and religious books from Sanskrit into Persian. Hindu festivals such as diwali, holi and dashehra were celebrated at the court under royal patronage. He also banned the slaughter of cows in order to respect Hindu sentiments. The basic principle of his policy was to respect the followers of all religions and tolerate their customs and practices.

Abu al-Fazl points out in A’in-i Akbari that people of other religions should not be looked down upon because everyone’s religious beliefs are pious and virtuous. The views of other people must be tolerated because every individual who is observing his religion garners the blessings of God. One should regard this world as a garden and enjoy the fragrance of all flowers.