It is also said about Akbar that he started Deen-e-Ilahi.
Today, amidst discussions on caste and religion, the memory of Mughal ruler Akbar comes to mind. Akbar’s name is not remembered only as a king. He is also seen as a ruler who tried to take religion, society and governance together. How did he understand Islam? How much respect did he give to other religions? Let us turn the pages of history and know whether Akbar ever read the Quran? How did Akbar understand Islam? How much respect were given to other religions and how?
Many historians believe that the formal education of Mughal Emperor Akbar was not very deep. In his childhood, he was brought up amidst war, instability and power struggle. Because of this he could not become very proficient in reading and writing books. Some scholars consider him almost illiterate. But this does not mean that he was far from knowledge. Abul Fazl has written in his books Ain-e-Akbari and Akbarnama that Akbar had extraordinary memory power. He could understand a lot by listening. Books were read to him in the court. Religious texts were also read. Thus, even though Akbar did not receive formal education, he learned about the Quran, Islamic ideas and other religions by listening, understanding and discussing with scholars.
How did Akbar understand Islam?
Akbar’s Islam was not limited to rituals only. He wanted to understand the meaning of religion, justice and its impact on society. Ulemas, Sufis, Qazis and scholars used to come to his court. They used to discuss Shariat, politics, morality and society. Akbar was also influenced by Sufi tradition. Especially the influence of Chishti order was important. His respect for Sheikh Salim Chishti is very famous.
Mughal emperor Akbar. Photo: Getty Images
Its relation with Fatehpur Sikri is also connected with this reason. Sufi ideology gave him a sense of compassion, humility and co-existence within religion. Akbar also understood that a huge state cannot be run on the basis of only one vote. Muslims, Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians all lived in India. Therefore, he considered religion not only as a personal belief but also a question of governance.
Ibadatkhana and religious dialogue
The biggest proof of Akbar’s religious curiosity is the Ibadat Khana. It was established in Fatehpur Sikri in the year 1575. Initially there used to be debates between Muslim scholars. Later, Akbar also called Hindu pundits, Jain acharyas, Parsi Dasturs and Christian priests. This step was very big for its time. It was not a common thing for a Muslim king to have an open debate with scholars of other religions.
From these discussions, Akbar learned that the search for truth is not limited to just one tradition. It was from here that his ideas became widespread. According to Abul Fazl, Akbar’s goal was the search for knowledge. At the same time, contemporary writers like Badayuni also criticized these discussions. This shows that Akbar’s view was not acceptable to everyone. But it is clear that he used to ask questions to understand religion. He was not a ruler who simply agreed.
Akbar did not receive formal education but he understood the Quran and Islamic ideas by listening to them.
How much respect did you give to other religions?
Akbar not only tolerated other religions but also respected them at many levels. This respect is visible in his behaviour, policies and administration.
1. Removal of Jaziya and pilgrimage tax
Akbar removed the pilgrimage tax in the year 1563. Jaziya was also abolished in 1564. This was a very important decision. Jizya was a tax imposed on non-Muslim subjects. By removing it, Akbar gave the message that the state belongs to everyone.
2. Respectful relations with Rajputs
Akbar did not fight only with the Rajput rulers. He also established political and marital relations with many Rajput families. The important thing was that he gave high positions to Rajput chieftains. Names like Man Singh, Bhagwan Das and Todar Mal are examples of this. This was not just a compromise. This was a policy of respect and partnership.
3. Translation of Hindu texts into Persian
Akbar promoted Persian translation of Sanskrit texts. The Persian form of Mahabharata was called Razmnama. Ramayana was also translated. This was a big cultural step. Due to this the Muslim court became familiar with the Hindu knowledge-tradition. This was a real form of respect.
4. Respect for Jainism
Jain masters, especially Hirvijay Suri, had an influence on Akbar. It is said that due to his influence, Akbar took steps like banning animal slaughter for some time. He gave respect to Jain saints. This shows that he listened seriously to the moral teachings of other religions.
5. Dialogue with Christian and Parsi scholars
Akbar called Christian priests from Goa. Discussed the Bible and Christianity with him. Parsi scholars were also given a place in the court. He showed interest in fire-worship, sun-salutation and various religious symbols. This does not mean that he was adopting every religion. Rather, he wanted to understand how people reach God through different paths.
Akbar started a religion named Deen-e-Ilahi.
policy of sulh-e-kul
The most famous policy of Akbar was Sulh-e-Kul. It means peace or universal harmony with all. This was not just a religious slogan. This was the policy of the government. Under this policy, the basis of the state should be justice, not narrow religious bias. Akbar wanted the people to be judged not by their religion but by their loyalty and ability. This is the reason why diverse communities got a place under his rule. According to historians, this policy makes Akbar different from other Mughal rulers. He tried to lift the empire above religious conflict.
Did Akbar create a new religion?
It is also said about Akbar that he started Deen-e-Ilahi. Many scholars believe that this was not an organized new religion. It was more of an ethical-cultural congregation or a group of spiritual loyalties. It had very few followers. Akbar’s aim was probably not to create a new religion. He wanted to understand the best things of different religions. Akbar’s policies were both praised and criticized. Writers like Badayuni believed that Akbar was going beyond the traditional boundaries of Islam. Some Ulemas disagreed with his views. They felt that the king was interfering too much in religious matters.
The conclusion is that Akbar probably did not read the Quran completely in one sitting like an ordinary student. But he tried to understand Islam deeply. He heard from the scholars. Argued. Learned from Sufis. Know from experience. His approach towards other religions was not merely formal tolerance. He changed the policies. Remove taxes. Non-Muslims were given places in the administration. Got religious texts translated. Communicated with scholars of different traditions. Therefore, the right way to understand Akbar is that he was an inquisitive, practical and broad-minded ruler. He tried to make religion a medium of dialogue and not a cause of conflict. This is its historical specialty.
Also read: No aeroplane, no facilities, how did the Mughals reach Mecca for Hajj?
