In the early phase of his reign, Akbar made land grants lavishly to the theologians. This…

The state policy under Akbar from 1560 onwards, roughly down to 1575, had thus often to accommodate the prejudices of theologians, commanding much influence among Muslims. They often goaded him to be harsh and sectarian towards non-believers as well as the so-called heretics. According to Badaoni, this phase also witnessed Akbar's lavishing much favour on the theologians in the form of land grants on an unprecedented scale. A majority of persons benefiting from this flood of favours would obviously be Indian Muslims managing mosques and dargahs (mystic hospices) in different places. One may even speculate that this attitude of placating the aimma (functionaries of Islamic religious institutions) was partly aimed at weaning them away from the influence of the Afghan chiefs who until late years were their rulers. They were evidently regarded by the Mughals during these years as their main potential opponents among the nobles or ashraf among the Muslim population.