Interaction of the ‘Lords’: The Jain Community and the Mughal Royalty under Akbar

The harmonious bonds shared by the Jains with Mughal royalty is a well- researched area.1 This paper examines the role of religious symbols, beliefs, and practices in the construction of political/religious relations, and the forms of Jain interaction with the Mughals. Various groups, sects and per- sonalities belonging to the Jain community were handled by the Mughals at the level of community and locality. On the basis of the Jain sources, one can argue that whatsoever may have been the conditions in each region and community, the Mughal State and the emperors were diplomatic enough to constantly modify their network of clients and establish a balance of power, thus ensuring subordination of potential political dangers and establishing a system of ‘check and balance’ over various communities.