When did Mughal emperor Akbar establish Din-i Ilahi?
Mughal emperor Akbar established the spiritual movement called Dīn-i Ilāhī in 1582. This event followed years of intense religious debate held at the Ibādat Khāna in Fatehpur Sikri since 1575.
Questions about Din-i Ilahi
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What theological traditions influenced the beliefs of Din-i Ilahi followers?
The theology drew from Sufism including ideas attributed to Ibn al-'Arabi while incorporating elements from Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, and Christianity. Followers practiced ahimsa extending nonviolence to animals and encouraged vegetarianism as part of their faith.
Why was the Ibādat Khāna important for the development of Din-i Ilahi?
Fatehpur Sikri housed the Ibādat Khāna which opened in 1575 as a forum for interfaith dialogue. The building invited theologians poets scholars and philosophers from Christian Hindu Jain and Zoroastrian backgrounds to shape Akbar's worldview.
Who were the identified followers of Din-i Ilahi during Akbar's reign?
Only 19 identified followers ever joined the movement during Akbar's reign and all adherents came from upper-class Mughal society or held high administrative positions. Names recorded include Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak Birbal Prince Murad and Shaikh Faizi.
When did Jahangir end official support for Din-i Ilahi after Akbar died?
Jahangir ended the official support for Dīn-i Ilāhī immediately after Akbar's death in 1605. He moved away from his father's religious policies and allowed the movement to fade into obscurity before Aurangzeb later completed the eradication by reimposing Islamic law across the Indian subcontinent.