Jahangir And Non Violence

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jahangir and Non-Violence" by Ramanlal N. Mehta:

Main Argument: The article examines a historical event where Emperor Jahangir issued a decree prohibiting animal slaughter during the Jain Paryusana festival in 1610 AD. It critically analyzes the assertion by historian Hiranand Sastri that Jahangir's action was solely due to Jain influence and that Jahangir was less tolerant than his father, Akbar. The author, R.N. Mehta, argues that Jahangir's decree was influenced by a combination of factors, including his father's tolerant policies, his own inherent inclination towards non-violence, and the opportune request from the Jain Samgha.

Key Points:

• The Jain Request and Jahangir's Decree: In 1610 AD, a delegation of 90 Jain representatives, including P. Vivek and P. Udehi, met Emperor Jahangir in Agra. They requested him to issue an order prohibiting animal slaughter during the Paryusana festival. Jahangir complied, and a decree was promulgated. This information was conveyed to Vijayasena Suri.

• Hiranand Sastri's Interpretation: Hiranand Sastri, in his work "Ancient Vijñapti Patras," commented that Jahangir was less tolerant than Akbar and that his prohibition of animal slaughter was influenced by the Jains.

• Mehta's Counter-Analysis: Mehta challenges Sastri's view by raising several questions:

  • Was Jahangir's lesser tolerance due to a traumatic experience, similar to Ashoka Maurya?
  • Did the Jain delegation actively preach to Jahangir, leading to the decree, or was Jahangir already inclined towards non-violence?

• Jahangir's Autobiography (Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri): Mehta draws heavily on Jahangir's autobiography to understand his mindset and policies.

  • Early Decrees: Upon becoming emperor in October 1605, Jahangir issued decrees that included bans on animal slaughter for specific reasons (e.g., being born in Rabi-ul-avval, enthronement day, Sundays). He continued Akbar's practice of prohibiting slaughter on Sundays.
  • Significant Duration of Bans: Jahangir's initial decree prohibited animal slaughter for 126 days a year, indicating a significant commitment to non-violence even before the Jain request.
  • Tolerance and Stricter Measures: While allowing Hindus to practice their religion freely, Jahangir strictly prohibited practices like Sati.
  • Balancing Violence and Peace: Jahangir's autobiography reveals a struggle with the necessity of violence for maintaining law and order and protecting his people, even while expressing regret for bloodshed. This suggests a nuanced approach to violence, often taken reluctantly when other options were unavailable.

• Context of the Paryusana Decree:

  • The article notes that the timing of the Jain request coincided with a period when the Paryusana festival and the Islamic month of Jamadul Akhir overlapped.
  • Mehta suggests that the Jain Samgha at Agra likely capitalized on the existing practice of non-slaughter days (Thursdays and Sundays) that often fell during Paryusana. They may have requested the extension of this non-violence during the festival, possibly around the time of Jahangir's coronation anniversary.

• Influence of Akbar: Mehta argues that Jahangir was deeply influenced by his father Akbar's philosophy of "Zilullah" (Ruler as shadow of the Almighty) and "Sulah Kul" (Universal Peace). Akbar's tolerant approach to different religions and his emphasis on the sanctity of life had instilled in Jahangir a foundation for appreciating Jain ideals of non-violence from childhood.

• Synergy of Factors: Mehta concludes that the decree was not solely due to Jain influence or Jahangir's lesser tolerance compared to Akbar. Instead, it was a confluence of:

  • Jahangir's inherited principles of tolerance and universal peace from Akbar.
  • His own inherent leanings towards non-violent actions.
  • The timely and opportune request from the Jain Samgha.

• Impact of the Decree: The decree, in Mehta's view, extended the total non-slaughter days for Jahangir's empire to approximately 131 or 132 days, a roughly 5% increase. This was a significant boon for the Jain community and a credit to the Tapagaccha sect.

• Parallels with Jain Philosophy: The article draws a parallel between Jahangir's approach to violence (reluctant use for governance) and the Jain perspective presented in texts like "Nisithacurni," which also grapples with the complexities of violence in a pursuit of a non-violent world.

In essence, the article provides a more nuanced historical interpretation of Jahangir's decree, highlighting it as a product of the emperor's own evolving principles, the enduring legacy of his father's policies, and the strategic engagement of the Jain community.