Question

What were the main features of Sulh-i-kul?

Answer 1

Hint:Akbar, the Great introduced the idea of “Sulh-i-Kul”, which meant universal peace.
Some scholars equate ‘Din-i-Ilahi’ with ‘Sulh-i-kul’.

Complete answer:
Akbar, the Great introduced the idea of “Sulh-i-Kul”, which meant universal peace. Akbar was immensely interested in religion and philosophy. He not only listened to the arguments of the Sufi and Shia divines but also to the scholars of other religions as well.
Discussions with religious scholars helped Akbar in formulating the idea of “Sulh-i-kul “. Religion and social customs of different people always interest him. His interaction with people of various beliefs made him realise that religious scholars who emphasised ritual and dogma were often bigots. Their teachings produced divisions and disharmony amongst his subjects.
This led Akbar to the idea of Sulh-i-kul. This idea of tolerance did not distinguish between people of diverse religions in his region. Akbar formulated governance guidelines by using such a policy of tolerance, based on a system of ethics – honesty, justice and peace. Akbar formed a vision of governance around the idea of Sulh-i-Kul with the help of Abul Fazl, which was a poet in his court. In fact, some scholars equate ‘Din-i-Ilahi’ with ‘Sulh-i-kul’.

The main features of Sulh-i-kul are-
1. Freedom of expression.
2. No differentiation on the basis of religion and race.
3. Focus on universal peace.
4. Secular form of government.
5. Religious tolerance.

Note:Sulh-i-kul was greatly influenced by Akbar’s Hindu mother, his guardian and tutor Bairam Khan and Abdul Latif respectively. The principle of Sulh-i-Kul was further followed by Jahangir and Shah Jahan.