Din-i Ilahi

Abu'l-Fazl, one of the disciples of Din-i-Ilahi, presenting Akbarnama to Akbar, Mughal miniature

The Dīn-i Ilāhī (Persian: دین الهی‎‎ lit. "Religion of God")[1][2] was a syncretic religion propounded by the Mughal emperor Akbar the Great in 1582 AD, intending to merge the best elements of the religions of his empire, and thereby reconcile the differences that divided his subjects.[2] The elements were primarily drawn from Islam and Hinduism, but some others were also taken from Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism.

Akbar promoted tolerance of other faiths. In fact, not only did he tolerate them, he encouraged debate on philosophical and religious issues. This led to the creation of the Ibādat Khāna ("House of Worship") at Fatehpur Sikri in 1575. He had already repealed the jizya (tax on non-Muslims) in 1568. A religious experience while hunting in 1578 further increased his interest in the religious traditions of his empire.[3]

From the discussions held at the Ibādat Khāna, Akbar concluded that no single religion could claim the monopoly of truth. This inspired him to create the Dīn-i Ilāhī in 1582. Various pious Muslims, among them the Qadi of Bengal and the seminal Sufi personality Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi, responded by declaring this to be blasphemy to Islam. According to a renowned historian Mubarak Ali, Dīn-i Ilāhī is a name not present in Akbar's period. At that time it was called Tawhid-i-Ilāhī ("divine monotheism"), as it is written by Abu Al Fazal, a court historian during the reign of Akbar.[4] So it can be said that it was not a religion in proper sense or in comparison with the mainstream religions. As there was no compulsion in its acceptance, no reward, no punishment and no establishment of religious institutions. Furthermore, it can be said that it was a political system to bring unity in plurality rather than a religion.

Dīn-i Ilāhī appears to have survived Akbar according to the Dabestān-e Mazāheb of Mubad Shah (Mohsin Fani). However, the movement never numbered more than 19 adherents.[5][6]

'Dīn-i Ilāhī' prohibits lust, sensuality, slander and pride, considering them sins. Piety, prudence, abstinence and kindness are the core virtues. The soul is encouraged to purify itself through yearning of God.[2] Celibacy is respected and the slaughter of animals is forbidden. There are neither sacred scriptures nor a priestly hierarchy in this religion.[7]

Ṣulḥ-i-kul

It has been argued that the theory of Dīn-i Ilāhī being a new religion was a misconception which arose because of erroneous translations of Abu'l-Fazl's work by later British historians.[8] However, it is also accepted that the policy of ṣulḥ-i-kul, which formed the essence of Dīn-i Ilāhī, was adopted by Akbar not merely for religious purposes, but as a part of general imperial administrative policy. Ṣulḥ-i-kul means "universal peace".[9][10] This also formed the basis for Akbar's policy of religious toleration.[11] At the time of Akbar's death in 1605 there were no signs of discontent amongst his Muslim subjects and the impression of even a theologian like Abdu'l Haq was that close ties remained.[12]

Disciples

The initiated disciples of Dīn-i Ilāhī during emperor Akbar the Great's time included (p. 186):[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Din-i Ilahi - Britannica Online Encyclopedia
  2. 1 2 3 4 Roy Choudhury, Makhan Lal (1997) [First published 1941], The Din-i-Ilahi, or, The religion of Akbar (4th ed.), New Delhi: Oriental Reprint, ISBN 978-81-215-0777-6
  3. ↑ Schimmel,Annemarie (2006) The Empire of the Great Mughals: History, Art and Culture, Reaktion Books, ISBN 1-86189-251-9
  4. ↑ Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak (2010) [1902–39]. The Akbarnama of Abu'l-Fazl. Delhi: Low Price Publications. ISBN 81-7536-481-5.
  5. ↑ Din-i Ilahi - Britannica Online Encyclopedia
  6. ↑ THE DABISTÁN, OR SCHOOL OF MANNERS, Trans. DAVID SHEA and ANTHONY TROYER, 1843, Persian Literature in Translation, The Packard Humanities Institute
  7. ↑ Children's Knowledge Bank, Dr. Sunita Gupta, 2004
  8. ↑ Ali 2006, pp. 163–164
  9. ↑ "Why putting less Mughal history in school textbooks may be a good idea".
  10. ↑ "Finding Tolerance in Akbar, the Philosopher-King".
  11. ↑ Ali 2006, p. 164
  12. ↑ Habib 1997, p. 96
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