Question

With whom did Akbar discuss religion?

Answer 1

Hint: Akbar was the third ruler of the Mughal empire and also the most popular, his popularity is attributed to his liberal and secular outlook. He was an extremely tolerant ruler, an individual, he also liked learning about other religions and cultures, he even ordered translations of Mahabharat, Ramayan and other Hindu religious texts to Persian.

Complete answer: Akbar held discussions on religion with the Ulema, Brahmanas, Jesuit priests who were Roman Catholics and Zoroastrians.
Akbar was a curious fellow, he liked learning about new cultures and religions. Accounts of travellers and ambassadors throw lights on Akbar’s attitude towards religion.
The factors that influenced Akbar’s outlook were:-
Influence of the Bhakti movement, it grew after he started following Sheikh Salim Chishti, a Sufi saint of the Chishti silsila.
Shaikh Mubarik, one of Akbar’s teachers and also the father of Abul Fazl was a liberal-minded
individual, his teachings had a lasting effect on Akbar.
His increasing relations with the Rajputs also allowed him to get to know the Hindu culture more closely, many of his wives were Hindu.
He detached himself from the Ulema after he realised how orthodox their ways were.
Akbar established Ibadat khana, a place completely dedicated to spiritual leaders, who could come there to debate and discuss religious issues. Akbar also came up with Din-i-Ilahi in 1582, it was a syncretic religion propounded by him to reconcile the differences between his subjects.

Note: Akbar also introduced the policy of Sulh-i-Kul or universal peace, the aim was to give the message of peace and harmony between all religions. Akbar wanted his empire to be known as the land of peace and every person of any culture would be welcomed in his empire, he never forced any religion on his subjects and the same policy was followed for Sulh-i-kul.