Religion of Mughal Empire Subjects
What was the religion of the Mughal Empire’s subjects?
Religion of Mughal Empire Subjects
The Mughal Empire, which ruled over large parts of the Indian subcontinent from the early 16th to the mid-19th century, had a diverse religious landscape among its subjects. Here is an overview of the main religions:
Hinduism: The majority of the Mughal Empire’s subjects were Hindu. Hinduism was the predominant religion, especially in the rural areas and among the common people.
Islam: The Mughal rulers themselves were Muslims, having descended from Turko-Mongol Muslim dynasties. A significant portion of the urban population, nobility, and ruling class were also Muslim.
Sikhism: Sikhism emerged as a distinct religion during the Mughal era. The Sikh Gurus established the Sikh faith and community, which gained prominence especially in the northern regions of the empire.
Other minority religions: Smaller populations of Jains, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis), and Jews also lived within the Mughal realms, though they were a small minority compared to Hindus and Muslims.
The Mughal Emperors generally followed a policy of religious tolerance, allowing the diverse faiths to coexist, though there were periods of occasional religious tensions and conflicts as well. The religious pluralism of the Mughal era had a lasting impact on the culture and society of the Indian subcontinent.
– Written By Shayan Ali
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