Consider the following statements about Mahzar: 1. It was a declaration issued by Aurangzeb. 2. It has been called as the ‘Decree of Infallibility’. 3. Under it, the Emperor became the final interpreter of Quran. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• To further strengthen his position in dealing with the Mullahs, Akbar also issued a declaration or Mahzar, which asserted that if there were conflicting views among those who were considered fit to interpret the Quran, that is Mujtaddids, Akbar, by virtue of being ‘a most just and wise king’, and his rank being higher in the eyes of God, than that of the Mujtaddids, was entitled to choose any one of the interpretations, which would be of benefit to the nation and in the interests of good order. Further, if Akbar issued a new order ‘in conformity with the Quran and calculated to benefit the nation’, all should be bound by it.

• The declaration, which was signed by the leading Ulamas, had been wrongly called a ‘Decree of Infallibility’. Akbar claimed the right to choose only when there was a difference of opinion among those qualified to interpret the Quran. At a time when there were bloody conflicts between the Shias, the Sunnis and the Mahdawis in different parts of the country, Akbar wanted the widest toleration. There is little doubt that the Mahzar had a salutary effect in stabilising the religious situation in the empire.