Akbar founded a new religion called ‘Din-i-Ilahi’. It
was introduced in 1582. Akbar tried to establish a national religion common to
all by bringing together the main principles and ideals of various religions.
From the beginning of his reign there were religious
problems. There was religious intolerance during the Muslim rule. Hindus formed
majority of the population. They were treated as non-believers or Kafirs. A
number of taxes such as jaziya and pilgrim tax were imposed on them. Their
right to worship was restricted. Many of their temples were destroyed and
mosques were built over them. Hindus were forcibly converted to Islam.
Factors that influenced Akbars Religious Policy.
There were various factors that influenced Akbar:
1. His father Humayun was a Sunni and his mother
Hamida Banu Begum was a Persian Shia.
2. He was born in the house of a Hindu chief, Rana of
Amarkot.
3. His guardian and regent, Bairam Khan was a Shia.
4. His marriage to Rajput princesses brought him in
contact with Hinduism.
5. His teacher Abdul Latif gave him liberal ideas and
taught him the principle of ‘Sulk-i-Kul’ (universal brotherhood)
6. Influenced by Abul Fazal, Faizee and Sufi Saints.
Ibadat Khana
In 1575, Akbar constructed a new building at Fatehpur
Sikri called ‘Ibadat Khana’ (house of worship). Religious discussions were held
here every Friday evening. Akbar invited religious leaders of all religions to
the Ibadat Khana. It became a parliament of religions were the Sufi,
philosophers, orator, jurist, Sunni, Shia, Brahmin, atheist (Charvaka), Jain,
Buddhist, Christian, Jew, Zorastrian, and others met and debated in the
presence of the Emperor.
Contact with other religious leaders
1. Brahmin representatives – Purushottam and Devi
instructed Akbar about the secrets of Hinduism. Akbar was convinced of the
belief of transmigration of the soul and rebirth.
2. Jain teachers like Hira Vijay Suri, Vijaya Sen Suri
and Bhanuchandra Upadhaya influenced Akbar. Hira Vijaya Suri asked the Emperor
to release prisoners, caged birds, and to prohibit slaughter of animals on
certain days.
3. Due to the influence of Parsi Head – Dastur
Meherjee Rana, Akbar adopted many practices of the Zorastrians such as sun
worship, fire worship and introduced the Persian festival Navroz.
4. Akbar took interest in the doctrines of
Christianity and invited Christian priest from Goa. He showed great reverence
to the Bible and built a small chapel for the Jesuit priests in the palace and
held discussions with them. Churches were build at Agra and Lahore.
5. Akbar regarded the ‘Adi Granth’, the religious book
of the Sikhs as a volume ‘worthy of reverence’.
Thus Akbar tried to satisfy his religious curiosity by
coming in contact with heads of different religions.
The Infallibility Decree
Akbar did not like the authority of the Ulema and
their check on his political control over India. So after his consolidation of
the kingdom he made himself the supreme authority over religion. On Friday 26th
June 1579, Akbar mounted (climbed) the pulpit of the mosque at Fatehpur Sikri
and recited the ‘Qutba’ composed by Faizee in his own name. In order to
emphasize his position as supreme head of religious affairs, a doctrine was
drawn up which came to be known as Infallibility Decree. By this Doctrine, the
Ulema transferred their authority in spiritual matters ot Akbar. The Infallibility
Decree made Akbar ‘Imam-i-Adil’, the supreme head in spiritual matters.
Din-i-Ilahi
Din-i-Ilahi was a combination of the fundamental
principles of all religions. Akbar believed that all religions were different
paths leading to the same goal. Din-i-Ilahi promoted social reforms such as
alms giving, sparing animal life, permitted widow remarriage, prohibited child
marriage and forced sati, encouraged monogamy, discouraged gambling and
drinking.
Din-i-Ilahi had its own ceremonial customs. A new member
was admitted through a special ceremony fixed on Sunday. Abul Fazal acted as
the high priest and introduced the person who wanted to be a member. The new
member with is turban in his hands placed his head at the feet of the Emperor
(sijda) who raised him by the touch of his shoulders placed the turban back on
his head and gave him the shast (his own name) and Akbar’s motto
‘Allah-o-Akbar’ (God is Great).
The members of Din-i-Ilahi had to follow certain
practices.
1. They had to greet each other with the words Allahu
Akbar and in response ‘Jalla Jallahu’.
2. Instead of giving traditional dinner that is given
in remembrance of a person after his death, each member was to give a dinner
during his life time.
3. Each member was to give a party on his birthday and
also give alms.
4. The members were to try and abstain from eating
meat, but they could offer non vegetarian food to others without touching it
personally. However, in the month of their birth, they could not serve non veg
meals or attend parties where such meals were served.
5. Members were not to have sex with pregnant, old and
barren women nor with girls under the age of puberty.
6. Members who died were to be buried with their heads
towards the East and feet to the West. Akbar even began to sleep in this
direction.
7. Members had to converse with others in mild tones
and do good. They had to forgive those who did them wrong and face anger with
mildness.
8. members had to observe rules of health and hygiene.
9. There were some other fanatic rules. For e.g. No
child was to be given the name ‘Muhammad’. The slaughter of cows was forbidden.
Beards were to be shaved. Garlic, onions were prohibited. ‘Sijda’ or
‘prostration’ had to be done before the Emperor. Gold and sild clothes which
were forbidden (not allowed) by Muslim rule were now made compulsory at public
prayers. The fast of Ramzan and pilgrimage to Mecca were forbidden.
Assessment
According to some historians, Din-i-Ilahi was not a
new faith but a reformation of Islam. Din-i-Ilahi as a religion did not survive
after the death of Akbar. Akbar wanted to establish a religion just as he
founded an empire. But he forgot that religions are never made or put together.
Great founders of religions never tried to establish a religion but spread the
message of love for mankind, knowledge and truth. It was their followers who
formed a group and then a religion was born.
However, Akbars motive (idea) in establishing the new
religion should be appreciated. He tried to unite the people of different
religions and culture. By doing this he wanted to establish a national,
secular, and welfare state.
The number of followers of Din-i-Ilahi was not large.
Only 18 prominent members are mentioned by Abul Fazl and Badauni. Akbar did not
use force to convert the people. According to some historians, Din-i-Ilahi is
not a true religion as it had no sacred book, no priests, no religious
ceremonies and no religious beliefs. It was a more socio-religious brotherhood
than a religion.
Vincent Smith has characterized Din-i-Ilahi as a
monument of Akbars folly. This is an extreme view. A more balanced view is that
it is neither a monument of folly nor of great wisdom. Its aim was good – to
provide a meeting ground for people of different religions. Din-i-Ilahi was not
a success. It died a natural death with the death of Akbar.
On the whole, Akbar followed a very wise religious
policy. He was among the first and perhaps the greatest experimenters of
religious tolerance. His policy can be summed up as a policy of sulk-i-Kul or
Universal Toleration. He gave justice to all subjects irrespective of religion
and laid the foundation for successful and long term domination (rule) of an
Islamic state in the midst of non Muslim majority.
