Final answer:
Religion was a central issue in the Mughal Empire as it transitioned from a policy of religious tolerance under rulers like Akbar to one of Islamic orthodoxy under Aurangzeb, leading to increased tensions and weakening the empire's social and political structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Religion in the Mughal Empire
Religion was a significant issue in the Mughal Empire due to the dichotomy between the ruling elite and the majority of the population.
The Mughals, who were predominantly Muslims, governed a territory with a large Hindu majority. Early Mughal emperors like Akbar emphasized religious tolerance, allowing the construction of Hindu temples and even forbidding the slaughter of cows, which is offensive to Hindus.
This environment of religious tolerance supported human rights and created a sense of harmony. However, rulers like Aurangzeb pursued an Islamic revival, seeking to enforce Islamic practices and laws, leading to resistance and tensions among the diverse religious communities, including Hindus and Sikhs.
The Gujarati merchant communities experienced commercial success partly because religious and ethnic connections facilitated trade. The Muslim dominance in trade was helped by the Mughal emperors being Muslim. As time progressed, the empire's policy shifted under Aurangzeb, whose less tolerant approach weakened the social fabric that had allowed for pluralism and led to internal divisions that contributed to the empire's decline, paving the way for British dominance.
The clash with the Sikhs and the imposition of taxes on non-Muslims are examples of religious issues that not only caused discontent but also inspired resistance movements like the rise of the Maratha Empire. The Mughal Empire's policy on religion, thus, evolved from one of tolerance to increasing rigidity, impacting its endurance and relationship with various communities in India.