Consider the following statements with respect to the Akbar’s reign:
1. Practice of sati was absent throughout the empire.
2. He legalised widow remarriage.
3. He raised the legal age of marriage for both girls and boys.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a). 1 and 2 only
(b). 2 and 3 only
(c). 1 and 3 only
(d). 1,2 and 3
Explanation Statement 1 is not correct: Akbar implemented several social and educational reforms. While he discouraged the practice of sati (the burning of widows), he did not abolish it entirely. It was permitted only if the widow willingly and persistently desired it. Moreover, young widows who had not consummated their marriage were strictly prohibited from being burnt. Thus, the practice of widow remarriage was not entirely absent across the empire.
Statement 2 is correct: Akbar legalized widow remarriage, recognizing it as an important social reform. Additionally, he opposed polygamy, allowing a man to take a second wife only if the first wife was barren.
Statement 3 is correct: As part of his progressive reforms, Akbar raised the legal age of marriage to 14 years for girls and 16 years for boys. This was a significant step towards improving the social status of women and reducing child marriages.
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