Year 8 - History
Governance and religious policy under Akbar
The Mughal Empire: how important was violence to the Mughal conquests in India?
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about the foundation of the Mughal Empire, early Mughal rule and the way in which this had developed by the late 17th century. They end the unit by reflecting on the role played by violence during the expansion of Mughal rule in India.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the importance of Akbar's religious policies and the ways in which he governed the Mughal Empire.
Key Notes
- Akbar was a Muslim but generally followed a policy of religious tolerance for non-Muslims.
- Akbar believed that religious intolerance would make the empire harder to govern.
- A new taxation system, the dahsala, was introduced during Akbar's reign.
- The dahsala was designed to help serve the interests of both the Mughal government and ordinary people.
Vocabulary To Learn
- tolerance: tolerance involves allowing people to do or believe what they want although your beliefs are different or you do not agree with them
- abolished: if something is abolished, it is officially ended
- chronicle: a chronicle is a written record of things that happened in the past
- revenue: revenue is the amount of money coming in, for example, into a government through tax or into a company
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Akbar's religious tolerance was absolute throughout his reign.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
Akbar was a Muslim but generally followed a policy of religious tolerance for non-Muslims. Akbar believed that religious intolerance would make the empire harder to govern.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'tolerance'
tolerance involves allowing people to do or believe what they want although your beliefs are different or you do not agree with them.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Akbar's religious tolerance was absolute throughout his reign. Correction: Akbar made some exceptions to his general policy of religious tolerance, such as when he declared a jihad against the Hindu Kingdom of Mewar.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 8 History guide library.