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UPSC CSE Pre 2014

Akbar's Religious Policy

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Akbar’s 'House of Worship' (Ibadat Khana) represented his journey from orthodox Islam to a more inclusive, universal spiritual philosophy. It was the physical space where the foundations of 'Sulh-i-kul' were laid.

Explanation Built in 1575 at Fatehpur Sikri, the Ibadat Khana served as a forum for religious debate. Initially open only to Muslims, it was later opened to Hindus, Jains, Parsis, and Christians, reflecting Akbar's desire to understand the common truths in all faiths.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: It was specifically a place for dialogue between scholars and the Emperor, not just a private prayer room or a public mosque.
Logic 2: These debates eventually convinced Akbar that all religions had common moral grounds, leading to the development of his philosophical school, the Din-i-Ilahi.

Active Recall

Question

What was the outcome of the discussions at Ibadat Khana?

Answer

They led to Akbar's realization that truth is not restricted to one religion, resulting in a state policy of universal religious tolerance.

Core Insight

The Ibadat Khana represents one of the earliest state-sponsored attempts at interfaith dialogue in the world.

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