[Solved] Abolition of Sijda by Shah Jahan | Concept & Explanation

Mughal Emperor who abolished 'Sijda':

[UPPCS Mains 2010]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Imperial etiquette under Akbar and Jahangir included 'Sijda' (prostration), which was seen by orthodox Muslims as an act reserved only for God. Shah Jahan, seeking to align more with Islamic norms, reformed these practices.

Authentic Source Evidence

Shah Jahan abolished Sijda because it was considered un-Islamic. He replaced it with Chahar Taslim (four-fold salutation). He also banned other practices that were seen as elevating the Emperor to a divine status, marking a shift toward greater orthodoxy.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Sijda was introduced to India by Balban and reached its peak of use under Akbar to reinforce the 'divinity' of the king.

Logic 2: While Aurangzeb (Option D) was the most orthodox, the actual abolition of Sijda as a formal court custom happened earlier under Shah Jahan.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What replaced Sijda in Shah Jahan's court?"

It was replaced by 'Chahar Taslim', where the person bows and touches the back of the hand to the ground and then to the forehead four times.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The abolition of Sijda shows that even before Aurangzeb, the Mughal court had started moving away from the 'Universalist' and semi-divine rituals of the Akbari era."

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