Din-i-Ilahi

From Freepedia

Din-i-Illahi, or Divine Faith, was a syncretic religion propounded by the Mughal emperor Akbar, intended to merge the best elements of the religions of his empire (primarily Hinduism and Islam; elements were also taken from Christianity, Jainism and Zoroastrianism), and thereby reconcile the sectarian differences that divided his subjects.

Akbar was the first Mughal ruler who tolerated religions other than Islam; in fact, not only did he tolerate them, he encouraged debate on philosophical and religious issues. This led to the creation of the Ibadatkhana, or Hall of Worship, at Fatehpur Sikri. From the discussions he led there in 1575, Akbar concluded that no single religion could claim the monopoly of truth. This inspired him to create the Din-I-Ilahi in 1581. Various Muslim clerics responded by declaring this to be blasphemy.

The Din-i-Ilahi, as propounded by Akbar, combined mysticism, philosophy and nature worship. It recognized no gods or prophets. The religion had few followers; the only person other than Akbar who was a Din-i-Ilahian till the end was Birbal, one of Akbar's ministers.