Din-i-Ilahi was a syncretic religion that was started by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. It was a blend of various religions and beliefs including Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, and Buddhism.

Beliefs and Practices

The followers of Din-i-Ilahi believed in one God and the unity of all religions. They believed in the principle of Sulh-i-Kul, which means "peace with all" and advocated for religious tolerance and harmony. The followers of Din-i-Ilahi were known as "Din-i-Ilahi" or "Divine Faith."

The religion had a unique set of practices that included vegetarianism, the use of the divine name "Allah" as a greeting, and a special form of prostration called "sajda-tashahud." The followers of Din-i-Ilahi also celebrated various festivals including Navroz, Diwali, and Eid.

Criticism and Decline

Din-i-Ilahi faced criticism from various quarters, including orthodox Muslims who saw it as a departure from Islamic teachings. The religion also faced opposition from some of Akbar's courtiers who saw it as a threat to their traditional power and influence.

The religion did not survive long after Akbar's death in 1605. His son Jahangir, who succeeded him, did not embrace the religion and it gradually lost its followers.

Conclusion

Din-i-Ilahi was an attempt by Akbar to create a syncretic religion that would promote religious harmony and tolerance. While it did not survive long, it remains an important chapter in the history of India and the Mughal Empire.

Din-i Ilahi “the religion of God,” was a system of religious beliefs introduced by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1582 CE.
His idea was to combine Islam and Hinduism into one faith, but also to add aspects of Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Jainism.