Islam and Peace
Islam in India
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e-Kul (peace with all concerned) and Din-e-Ilahi.
The religion Akbar proposed was not, in fact, a
religion. It was rather a piece of strategy designed
to put an end to hatred that had developed between
the Muslims and the non- Muslims during the
reigns of earlier Sultans of Delhi. In spite of its
apparent clumsiness, the strategy worked and
Akbar by securing the cooperation of the majority
of people, and despite the opposition of the
orthodox section of his courtiers, succeeded in
bringing about political stability in the country and
people prospered. Indeed, from the reign of Akbar
to that of Shahjehan, tens of thousands of people
voluntarily accepted Islam and entered its
egalitarian fold. The key factor in creating this
propitious atmosphere was the policy followed by
Akbar.
We know nothing of Akbar’s intentions. But even if
he had been as evil as some people thought him to
be, the above analysis retains its validity. It is an
irrefutable fact that Akbar’s policy of appeasement
resulted in the rapid spread of Islam along with an
atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. Even if, as a
man, he was ill-intentioned, the results he achieved
