Jahangir, Mughal Emperor from 1605 to 1627, modestly increased the size of his empire through conquests. He also snuffed out a half dozen rebellions. On the whole, one might say, he continued the policies of his father, Emperor Akbar.
India that Jahangir ruled provided him the wealth to indulge his tastes for formal gardens, entertainment, art, literature, etc. The last part is important since he himself contributed to the literature of his age by writing a memoir. Though intended to glorify himself and instruct his heirs, the book covers the first thirteen years of his reign in great detail. After that, due to his addiction to alcohol and opium, he lost much of his ability.
Jahangir’s memoirs offer some interesting insights on how he treated the non-Muslims — a question that is raised often about the Mughals. Were they tolerant, or were they not? The memoirs, as we shall see, throw some light on these questions. Below excerpts are taken from his memoirs which tell us about Jahangir’s policy towards Hindus, or other non-Muslims.
Excerpts from Jahangirnama
I am here led to relate that at the city of Banaras a temple had been erected [in which]… the principal idol… had on its head a tiara or cap, enriched with jewels. [Also] placed in this temple, moreover, four other images of solid gold, each crowned with a tiara, in the like manner enriched with precious stones. It was the belief of these non-believers that a dead Hindu, when placed before this idol, would be restored to life. As I could not possibly give credit to such pretense, I employed a confidential person to ascertain the truth… And as I justly supposed, the whole was detected to be an impudent fraud.
On this subject, I must however acknowledge, that having on one occasion asked my father the reason why he had forbidden anyone to prevent or interfere with the building of these haunts of idolatry, his reply was in the following terms:
"My dear child," he said, "I find myself a powerful monarch, the shadow of God upon earth... With all of the human race, with all of God's creatures, I am at peace. Why then should I permit myself to be the cause of molestation or aggression to anyone? Besides, are not five parts in six... either Hindus or aliens to the faith. Were I to be governed by motives suggested in your inquiry, what alternative can I have but to put them all to death! I have thought it therefore my wisest plan to let these men alone. Neither it is to be forgotten... they are usefully engaged... either in the pursuits of science or the arts, or improvements for the benefit of mankind... in this city, men of very description and of every religion are to be found...
Jahangir on Sati Practice
As you can see, Jahangir learnt the lesson of non-interference from his father. But, would he never interfere in religious matters? No… sometimes he did. Jahangir’s policy towards Hindus, since based on principles of Islam as well as that of statecraft, he did interfere. And he might have some very good reasons as he describes in the below excerpts.
In the practice of being burnt on the funeral of their husbands, as sometimes exhibited among the widows of the Hindus, I had previously directed that no woman who was the mother of children should be thus made a sacrifice, however willing to die. And now I further ordained, that in no case was the practice to be permitted, when compulsion was in the slightest degree employed, whatever might be the opinions of the people. In other respects they were in no way to be molested in the duties of their religion, nor exposed to oppression or violence in any manner...
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