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Religious Policies of Akbar

Akbar adopted liberal religious policies during his reign as Mughal emperor, influenced by his mother, teacher, and the contemporary Bhakti and Sufi movements. Some key policies included abolishing the jizya tax on non-Muslims in 1564, abolishing the pilgrim tax in 1563, and establishing the Ibadat Khana in 1575 to hold religious discussions between scholars of different faiths. In 1579, Akbar declared the Mahzarama, granting himself power over civil and religious matters. In 1581, he established the Din-i-Ilahi, or Tauhid-i-Ilahi, in an attempt to remove religious differences and accept all faiths, though it

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532 views2 pages

Religious Policies of Akbar

Akbar adopted liberal religious policies during his reign as Mughal emperor, influenced by his mother, teacher, and the contemporary Bhakti and Sufi movements. Some key policies included abolishing the jizya tax on non-Muslims in 1564, abolishing the pilgrim tax in 1563, and establishing the Ibadat Khana in 1575 to hold religious discussions between scholars of different faiths. In 1579, Akbar declared the Mahzarama, granting himself power over civil and religious matters. In 1581, he established the Din-i-Ilahi, or Tauhid-i-Ilahi, in an attempt to remove religious differences and accept all faiths, though it

Uploaded by

Abhishek Dubey
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Religious Policies of Akbar

The reign of Akbar is considered to be the glorious era of the Mughal history in India. The
Mughal Empire rose to zenith of its power during his reign. Akbar is not only known for his
conquests or administrative measures but also for his liberal religious policies.

A number of factors influenced Akbar in expounding a liberal religious policy. In the first
place his father Humayun and mother Hamida Banu both were liberal minded persons.
Akbar’s mother was a Shia lady who constantly impressed upon him as a child the value of
following of religious tolerance. Secondly, his teacher Abdul Latif who taught Akbar the
principle of “suleh-i-kul”, universal peace. Thirdly, the influence of the contemporary Bhakti
movement and Sufism of his time. They thus created the atmosphere which made Akbar to
extend his liberal policies and these can be categorised into following stages.

Abolition of “jazia tax” (1564): One of the first actions which Akbar took was to abolish the
jazia tax, a poll tax, which the non-Muslims were require to pay in a Muslim state.

Abolition of pilgrim tax (1563): Akbar abolished the pilgrim tax which was required to pay
by the Hindus who went to visit holly places such as Prayag, Banaras etc. he also abolished
the practice of forcible conversion of the prisoners of war to Islam.

Establishment of “Ibadat Khana”(1575): Akbar built a prayer hall called “Ibadat Khana” at
his new capital “Fatehpur Sikri” to conduct religious and spiritual discussion. To this he
called selected theologians, mystics and intellectual courtiers or nobles. Initially only the
Islamic scholars participated in it, but later on the Ibadat Khana opened to people of all
religiouns.Some of the representatives of different religions who participated in its discussion
were- Purrushottam (Hindu), Vijayshuri (Jain), Maharji rana (Zorastrian), Aquaviva
(Christrian), Shaikh Abdun nabi (Islam) etc. Akbar took keen interest in these discussions
and was convinced that the basic principles of the various religions were the same and they
differed only in form.

Declaration of “Mahjarnama” (1579): This document was drafted by Shaikh Mubarak at


the instance of Akbar and signed by all important Muslim divines, gave power to Akbar and
signed by all important Muslim divines, gave power to Akbar to act as the supreme arbiter in
civil and ecclesiastical matters. Thereby, Akbar was given the right to act as the final
interpreter of the Muslim law.
Din-I-Illahi (1581): “Din-I-Illahi” or “Tauhid-I-Illahi” was one of the significant step taken
by Akbar. The intention behind this step was to remove the differences among the different
religiouns and accept all the positive sides of all the religions. According to badauni Akbar
tried to strt a new religion which is a matter of question. Akbar was “pir” of this so-called
religion and he would accept “murids”.

According to badayuni, those selected were to promise sacrifice of property, life, honour and
religion. Noteworthy that Akbar neither used force nor money for enrolling disciples. The
number of the group of his murids amounted to only eighteen only.

In enrolling murids Akbar evidently had some political purpose also. He wanted a band of
nobles and others who would be personally loyal to him, and support him in his concept of a
state based on “sulh-ikul”, that is equal toleration of and respect to all sections, irrespective of
their religious beliefs.

Thus, under Akbar the state became essentially secular, liberal and enlightened in social
matters and promoter of cultural integration.

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