Political Science · Indian Political Thought
UGC NET December 2023 Political Science
Which of the following thinkers is associated with 'syncretism'?
AAbul Fazl ✓ Correct
BKabir
CZia-ud-din Barani
DTulsidas
Correct answer: (A) Abul Fazl — Abul Fazl is associated with 'syncretism', the blending of different religious and cultural traditions.
Explanation
★Abul Fazl is associated with 'syncretism', the blending of different religious and cultural traditions.
★As Akbar's chief adviser and court historian, Abul Fazl promoted the policy of Sulh-i-Kul, meaning 'universal peace' or absolute tolerance among faiths.
★Syncretism here means integrating diverse beliefs and practices into a shared framework, which Abul Fazl theorised to legitimise Akbar's inclusive rule.
★He also helped shape the Din-i-Ilahi, Akbar's eclectic spiritual path drawing on several religions.
★Kabir preached a unity of Hindu and Muslim devotion but is classed under the Bhakti tradition, not the Mughal idea of syncretism tested here.
★Zia-ud-din Barani, by contrast, urged strict adherence to Islamic Shari'ah, the opposite of religious blending.
★Tulsidas was a Bhakti poet-saint devoted to Rama and author of the Ramcharitmanas, unrelated to this concept.
★Abul Fazl, son of Sheikh Mubarak, composed the Akbarnama, whose administrative volume is the famous Ain-i-Akbari.
Want more like this? Create a free account to practise a full test, track your progress, and get spaced-repetition review.
Shared by Mcqkart · via Mcqkart.in