Examine the impact of religious cooperation and conflict in the Mughal Empire up to the end of Shah Jahan I’s rule.

Candidates will consider the interrelationship between religious cooperation and conflict and its impact on the Mughal Empire up to the end of Shan Jahan I’s rule. Candidates may offer equal coverage of impacts of religious conflict and religious cooperation, or they may prioritize their examination of either of them. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Candidates may refer to how religious conflict, mostly to subdue the largely Hindu population and to establish Muslim rule, helped consolidate power for both Babur and Humayun. Candidates may also examine the policies of religious cooperation such as power sharing with the local ruling elites, as well as the incorporation of diverse religious practices into court and social life that contributed to the stability and cultural dominance of the Mughal Empire. Other relevant interrelationships may be examined, for example how the religious cooperation allowed for the creation of a unique Mughal culture, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.