Question

Which of the following statements correctly describes the real spirit of Din-i-illahi?
A. It was an attempt towards founding a universal religion.
B. It possessed the excellence of all the existing creeds but defects of none.
C. It was a concept of common citizenship of the people of a common faith.
D. It was founded to instil intense loyalty to the emperor.

Answer 1

Hint: Din-i-illahi was formulated by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1582. It was also known as Tawhid-i-Ilahi or Divine faith.

Complete Answer: The Din-i-illahi which means Religion of God or oneness of God was a syncretic religion propounded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1582 to merge some elements of different religions into one. They were mainly taken a draw from Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Jainism and Buddhism. Akbar also established Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri in 1575 where theologians, poets, thinkers, scholars, philosophers and religious denominations were invited to discuss their ideas about religion.

Looking at the options given:
Option A. Akbar believed in merging elements of religion not declaring one as universal. It is an incorrect option.
Option B. It possessed the excellence of all the existing creeds but defects of none. This is the correct answer.
Option C. The concept of common citizenship of the people of common faith is an incorrect option as there was no common faith for all, they have different religions and cultures.
Option D. It was founded to instil intense loyalty to the emperor is the incorrect option as Din-i-illahi didn’t mention power or loyalty. It was completely based on different religions.

So, the correct answer is option B.

Note: The policy of Sulh-i-kul which means universal peace formed the essence of Din-i-illahi adopted by Akbar as a part of general imperial administrative policy.