‘Mughal rulers efficiently assimilated heterogeneous populace within an imperial edifice’. Explain.

When Mughals came to power they Inherited a largely heterogeneous populace with different religions, culture and customs. To maintain their authority they tried their best to assimilate them within an imperial edifice.

Emperor Akbar followed a policy of religious tolerance to help peacefully assimilate people of diverse beliefs. He treated visiting Jesuits with the utmost respect and introduced interfaith debates at Fatehpur Sikri between learned Muslims, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Christians.

Akbar also abolished pilgrimage tax and jizya in 1563 and 1564 respectively. These decisions helped him accommodate Hindus and other non-Islamic groups.

Along with Abul Fazal he created a philosophy of light and used it to shape the ideology of state and image of the king.