Explain the concept of Theocratic state with special reference to the state under Mughals.
Answers
.Similarly Dr. Ishwari Parsad says that like other Muslim states, the state in Medieval India was a theocracy. The king was both Caesar as well as Pope. But, his authority was restricted by the principles of Shariat. His rule was based on religion and the Ulemas predominated the State.
However, certain other writers like Dr. I.H. Qureshi holds, “The supremacy of the shar” has misled some into thinking that the Sultanate was a theocracy. The essential feature of a theocracy— the rule of an ordained priesthood—is however, missing in the organisation of Muslim state; the jurists are laymen who claim no sacerdotal immunity from error. Gibb is right in calling the Islamic policy theocentric. Even Mohammad Habib says, “It (Muslim state in India) was not a theocratic state in any sense of the word” and that “its foundation was, nevertheless, non-religious and secular.”
In view of the two conflicting views offered by the scholars regarding the nature of the state in Medieval India, it becomes imperative to examine this issue more thoroughly. First of all, we must try to find out what is meant by theocracy. Only then we will be able to arrive at some conclusion regarding the nature of state in Medieval India.
The term theocracy is derived from the Greek word theos, meaning God. Therefore, a theocratic state is one which is governed by God or sacerdotal class.
According to the Chamber’s Twentieth Century Dictionary theocracy has been defined as “that constitution of a state in which the Almighty it regarded as the sole sovereign, and the laws of the realm divine commands rather than human ordinances-the priesthood necessarily becoming the officers of the invisible ruler .”