THE POLICY OF RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC HARMONY OF EMPEROR AKBAR (1542–1605) AND ITS INHERITANCE VALUE IN THE PRESENT INDIAN CONSTITUTION

DOI: 10.18173/2354-1067.2025-0009

Abstract

The Mughal Empire reached the peak of the Indian feudal system. During the reign of Emperor Akbar, he implemented progressive and comprehensive reforms across various domains, ushering in the "golden age" of the Mughal dynasty. Crucially, the key to these remarkable achievements was Akbar's policy of religious and ethnic harmony. This policy alleviated and stabilized ethnic and religious tensions in India, laying a foundation for the country’s overall development. Even today, the Indian government faces significant challenges in managing ethnic and religious diversity. Akbar's policy of religious and ethnic harmony offers invaluable lessons, offering practical and applicable solutions to complex ethnic and religious problems in a nation of over a billion people and diverse religious communities. This paper examines the progressive aspects of Akbar’s policy and examine its enduring legacy within the framework of the current Indian Constitution.