Why was the Ibadatkhana established by Akbar and how did it influence his religious views?

1. Akbar was a staunch fanatic Mohammedan in the beginning but when he came in contact with some genial souls his fanaticism diminished. His patron Bairam Khan-Rahim Khankhana, Faizi and Abul Fazl were among them. His Hindus queens too had influenced him. Hence, a liberal attitude started developing in him.

2.    He gave proper place to other religions also. He strove to remove their evil practices. He got the Ibadatkhana constructed at Fatehpur Sikri in 1575 AD wherein the adherents of different religions had the privilege to express their respective religious views.

3.    While discussing the religious affairs the Maulvis resorted to abusive language. Hence, he developed a distance from Islam. He applied a Tilak mark on his forehead and worshipped the cows. Hence the fanatics called him as infidel ‘a kafir’. He got the khutba read in his name in 1579 A. D. and declared himself as the chief of religion.

4.    Hence the ulemas who were hitherto the authorities on religion had lesser influence. The above mentioned circumstances naturally resulted in the reaction of Din-e-Ilahi.

5.    Akbar heard the preaching 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 in 1582 A.D. Din-e-Ilahi was based on the main principles or teachings of various religions of the world.