DIN-I-ILAHI

There is a building in Fatehpur Sikri where Akbar sat on a high throne.

People of different religions assembled below, and Akbar discussed various issues with them.

Akbar was not educated so he could not read, but he had a great love for knowledge. He asked his people to read out books to him. He had built a huge library which had an impressive collection of books. He even got translations from Hindu texts done into the Persian language.

Akbar was also very interested in religion. He believed in Islam, but did not hate the Hindus. He was rather friendly towards them. This was because he was keen to understand different religions.

He used to have people of different religions have discussions on various issues, and then he would listen to them carefully.

He formed a religion called 'Din-i-ilahi'. Din-i-ilahi was a mixture of the good points of different religions. Hindu, Christian and Jesuit priests were consulted, before Akbar decided on the main points of his religion.

He announced te new religion and also told the people that he himself would be the head of 'Din-i-ilahi'.

At that time because of Akbar, most of the people followed it. But this religion gradually lost its popularity after Akbar's death.

Still it speaks a lot for the illiterate Akbar who thought of a new religion based on moral goodness.

It also shows that he wanted to unify all his people with the bond of love and goodness.

While the Sultans and emperors who had ruled before him were against the Hindus, Akbar was ready to take the good points of their religion too.

This shows how great Akbar was as an emperor and thinker.