RELIGIOUS POLICY OF AKBAR

Among all the Muslim rulers who ruled over India, Akbar was the most liberal exponent of religious tolerance. The important factors that determined Akbar's religious policy were as under:

1. Liberal Parents:- Akbar's parents were very liberal. His father Humayun was a Sunni but had leaning towards Shias. His mother Hamida Bano Begam was a shia lady. Both taught their son the value of tolerance.

2. Liberal Teachers:- Akbar's teachers, Bairam Khan and Abdul Latif, both were liberal and cultured men and who gave education to Akbar on liberal & unorthodox lines.

3. Rajput wives:- Akbar had married many Rajput wives who brought a profound change in his life and thought. Under their influence he went away from orthodoxy and became tolerant and liberal.

4. Teachings of Bhakti and Sufi saints:- The teachings of Bhakti and Sufi saints like Kabir, Nanak, Ramananda, Moi-ud-din Chisti etc. also considerably influenced Akbar's opinion towards religion because they preached about the unity of God and universal brotherhood.

5. Sheikh Mubarak and his sons:- Akbar was no less influenced by the great Sufi saint, Sheikh Mubarak and his sons, Abdul Fazal and Faizi. They not only changed his outlook and ideas but also led him away from orthodox Islam.

MEASURES TAKEN BY AKBAR TOWARDS LIBERALIZATION OF RELIGION:

1. Ban on Forcible Conversion:- In 1562 Akbar married the Rajput princess Jodha Bhai and his religious outlook changed so he stopped the forcible conversion in the same year.

2. Akbar abolished the pilgrim tax in 1563.

3. Abolition of Jaziya:- In 1564 Akbar abolished Jazia, the tax on non-Muslims.

4. Freedom of religion and temple construction:- Akbar not only gave freedom of worship to Hindus but also gave them full freedom to construct new temples and repair old ones.

5. Din-i-illahi:- In 1582 Akbar introduced a new faith Known as Din-i-illahi which was based on the principles of vaious religions. the people of diverse religions were invited to come under the banner of faith.

6. Mehzar (Infallibility Decree):- In 1579 AD, Akbar removed the chief imam of Jamia Masjid of Fetehpur Sikri and read khutba himself. In the same year he issued a declaration (Mehzar), according to which he claimed to occupy the highest place in Islam.