Chat with us
General Studies 2025 GS Paper I 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Examine

GS Paper I — Q2

Examine the main aspects of Akbar's religious syncretism. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

अकबर के धार्मिक समन्वयता के प्रमुख पहलुओं का परीक्षण कीजिए । (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए) 10 marks

Q2 of the 2025 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper I, as printed
The question as printed in the 2025 General Studies paper
Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2025 General Studies questions

Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

In 16th-century pluralistic India, Akbar’s religious syncretism emerged as a deliberate fusion of imperial statecraft and theological inquiry.

He institutionalized Sulh-i Kul (universal peace) as state policy and repealed discriminatory taxes, notably the jiziya (1564), to integrate a heterogeneous population. To foster dialogue, Akbar established the Ibadat Khana debates (1575–1582), inviting scholars of Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism. This culminated in Din-i Ilahi (1582), a state-sponsored syncretic order blending ethical and spiritual elements from these diverse faiths.

Cultural synthesis was reinforced by commissioning the translation of Sanskrit texts—including the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and *Upanishads*—into Persian (Maktab Khana), alongside granting high administrative patronage to non-Muslims such as Raja Todar Mal and Birbal.

Examination and Limitations: However, Akbar’s syncretism remained an elitist, court-centric phenomenon that failed to penetrate popular consciousness or secure a mass following. Bound closely to his personal authority, the policy faced orthodox backlash and was partially reversed under Jahangir and subsequent rulers.

What "Examine" is asking you to do

Test the proposition the question puts to you and return a finding on how far it holds. Examine stems carry a claim, or ask whether something has happened, and expect evidence weighed both ways before the extent is stated — often with remedial measures attached.

Structure that answers it

Restate the claim as the question frames it → evidence that supports it → evidence that undercuts it → the conditions under which it holds → verdict on how far it stands

Where marks are lost

Stopping at description. An examination has to reach a finding, and “examine with justification” means the extent must be stated, not implied.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS1 History: Synthesis of British objective/Indian response. examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion Full marks: Explains the 'why' of syncretism with specific institutional examples.

Key points expected

  • Ibadat Khana and Din-i-Ilahi as institutional mechanisms
  • Political consolidation of diverse Mughal empire
  • Rejection of sectarianism for universalism
  • Reasoning behind the syncretic approach

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Analyze the mechanisms and reasoning behind Akbar's religious syncretism. 10 marks · 150 words

    examine— intro → how/why with reasoning → evidence → conclusion

    Must cover

    • Ibadat Khana and Din-i-Ilahi as institutional mechanisms
    • Political consolidation of diverse Mughal empire
    • Rejection of sectarianism for universalism
    • Reasoning behind the syncretic approach

    Loses marks

    • Narrating chronology of Akbar's life
    • Listing reforms without explaining the 'why'
    • Emotive language on religious harmony

    Earns more

    • Specific reforms like abolition of Jizya
    • Influence of Sufi and Bhakti traditions
    • Role of court intellectuals like Abul Fazl

    Extra mark

    • Reference to specific Ibadat Khana debates
    • Mention of specific titles like Sulh-i-kul

Practice this exact question

Write your answer and it is marked point by point against the model answer above — what you covered, what you missed, what you got wrong.

Evaluate my answer →

More from General Studies 2025 GS Paper I