Bring out the salient features of Din-i-Ilahi.

Background of Din-i-Ilahi : Akbar heard the preaching and speeches of the learned people of various religions but none could impress him. He deemed all the religions as incomplete hence he compounded the gist of all religions into a new religion labelled as Din-e-Ilahi. The following are the chief characteristics of this religion:

(i)    Had Akbar so desired, he would have declared his religion as the state religion. But he never thrust the same upon any one forcibly.

(ii)    God is one and Akbar is the representative of the prophet.

(iii)    While paying salutations, the chief mode in his religion was to utter ‘Allah-hu-Akbar’, and got the reply “Jall-i-Jalalahu”.

(iv)    The adherent of this religion touched the emperor’s feet with his head every Sunday. It was customary that the emperor raised him and gave him hymn which he uttered repeatedly.

(v) The followers of this religion deemed the fire as sacred and worshipped the Sun god.

(vi)    The devotees of this religion were staunch vegetarians.

(vii)    The followers of this religion arranged a feast and made bounties to celebrate his birth days.

(viii)    These people looked up on all religions with a sense of respect.

(ix)    Every member took the vow of character building and to cause the welfare to others.

(x) These people did not led the child marriage or old folks marriage did take place.

(xi) These persons performed their obituaries during their life time.