RAS question
The concept of 'Sulh-i-Kul' (universal peace) was promoted by:
Correct answer: (C) Akbar.
Akbar promoted sulh-i kul, the principle of universal peace, as a guiding idea of Mughal state policy.
Explanation
Akbar is the right answer because sulh-i kul was tied to his idea of governing a society made up of many religions, cultures and castes. He made universal peace and tolerance the guiding principle of his state policy, seeking harmony among all religions and shaping liberal measures such as abolishing jaziya and the pilgrim tax. The NCERT chapter supports this directly: Jahangir described Akbar's rule as one in which there was room for followers of different creeds, the road to intolerance was closed, and Akbar consistently followed the principle of universal peace, or sulh-i kul. So the concept is not a generic Mughal ideal; it is specifically associated with Akbar's governance.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Shah Jahan is not associated here with sulh-i kul; he is linked instead with grandeur rather than this principle of religious harmony.
- (B) Aurangzeb does not fit because the question asks about a policy of universal peace, while he is identified with orthodox Islamic policies.
- (D) Babur is wrong because he did not promote sulh-i kul as a policy.
Concept
This tests Mughal religious policy, especially Akbar's approach to ruling a diverse empire. It recurs in RAS because Akbar's governance ideas connect political stability, religious tolerance and medieval Indian administration.