Why did Jalal-Ud-Din Akber start the Din-I-Illahi?
Why did Jalal-Ud-Din Akber start the Din-I-Illahi?
"The religion of God," Din-I-Illahi started by Akbar in 1582 CE, introduced a system of religious beliefs. Akbar had a deep interest in spiritual matters and wanted to introduce a religion that would be accepted and followed by all. His primary focus was on combining Islam and Hinduism into one faith with certain features from Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Jainism. The new religion emphasized morality, kindness, and purity.
Explanation
In 1575, Akbar founded the 'Ibadat Khana' or the house of worship. Here, the representatives from all significant faiths discussed theology questions; Akbar concluded that no single religion told the complete truth, so they should all be combined. In 1578, during hunting, a religious experience triggered his interest in his empire's spiritual traditions.
- The introduction of this system had more to do with politics than religion. Akbar had been under constant scanner as being a Muslim, he ruled over a predominantly Hindu state. Din-I-Illahi would allow people to see emperors and their religions with the same perspective. Akbar wanted to bring people of different traditions and faiths together, unifying them under one religion, bringing stability and peace to his empire.
- Din-I-Illahi established itself as a state religion with the Emperor(Akbar) as its center. Akbar became the single authority on all religious matters. He not only interpreted and applied religious law but also made it. With state religion, Akbar would become the only representative of God on Earth, which ensured the end of any opposition or rebellion. The goal of the new religion was to establish similarity and unity among all faiths.
In 1586, Akbar had abolished Jizya, a tax on non-Muslims, as part of his intra-religious policy.
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