1 JALAL-UD-DIN AKBAR. 145
2 *
3 of boys before 16 and of girls before 14 were prohibited, because the off-
4 spring of early marriages was weakly. one ; ee
5 fn devising his new religion called the Din-i-Ilaht, or the Divine faith,
6 Akber proposed to inculcate the reverence of God according to the know-
7 ledge of him derived from reason. He recommended the adoration of the
8 sun, the planets, or fire, symbols of the Divinity, and as a means of obtaining
9 a true knowledge of Him and His wisdom. He gave his religious system
10 the name of Tauhi-di-Ilahi, or divine monotheism. He introduced his
11 reforms and innovations by degrees, and, before promulgating them, obtained
12 the legal opinion of the principal Mahomedan lawyers. Thus it was that
13 he was acknowledged to be the head of the church, the Pope, or Caliph of
14 Islam.* As the supreme spiritual guide of Islam, he had the right to
15 govern its members according to his own judgment, and under his authority
16 it was declared that “there is no God but one God, and that Akber is his
17 Caliph.” He ordered the words “ Allu ko Akber” to be engraved on his seal.
18 It was also declared that Akber was the 12th Imam, the regenerator of the
19 world, the reconciler of the seventy-two sects of Islam. The idea origin-
20 ated in Abul Fazl, the chief tool of Akber and his inseparable companion.
21 Lastly, Akber was adored as God, though he himself does not seem to have
22 laid claim to supernatural illuminations. The following odes of Fezi may be
23 cited in proof of this :— ;
24 Uo ee Wyoad) Usloe std JI — roslys W950 Uvads as yrs
25 Udi ]o> wee dla wnrow) dd 25) 9) — wilek ow Jar ble as OAR Dis
26 “He (Akber} is a king whom on account of his wisdom we call Zéfanitn (profes-
27 sor of the sciences),
28 And our guide in the path of religion;
29 Although kings are the shadow of God on earth,
30 He is the emanation of God’s light; How then can wecall him a shadow ?”
31 At another place says the same poet:—~
32 usm latins lS Jp sth arataad — usw ety US82 81) wy? 92 as ust
33 sma fos U Celasy pl — of cy dg pss gos oy)
34 “Tf yon wish to acquire the knowledge of the path of righteousness as I have done,
35 You cannot do if without acquiring the knowledge of the king ;
36 This unaccepted prostration 1s of no advantage to you,
37 3 Have knowledge of Akber, and you will have knowledge of God.”
38 The study of Arabic was prohibited, and that of astronomy, mathematics,
39 medicine and philosophy encouraged. Names like Muhammad and Ali were
40 disused, Circumcision before the age of twelve was prohibited. The Hejra era
41 and the Arabian months were abolished, and a new era introduced, of which
42 the first year was the year of the emperor’s accession. The months were named
43 after those of the ancient Persians. The ordinary salutation, “ Salam-alekum!”
44 * It having been represented to the king that the Prophet and his four successors used
45 themselves to preach, that the Abbasi Caliphs observed this tradition, and that in later times
46 Amir Tymir, the Sahib Kiran and Mirza Ulagh Beg followed the example set, the king felt it
47 aed Gey Se cee ve eee Rar renee by the gaa or Imams. Accordingly, on Friday, the
48 ai-ul-aial, he wené to the grand mosque of Fatehpur i it, 1
49 eu t dies g q atehpur, and, mounting the pulpit, thus
50 The Lord to me the kingdom gave,
51 He made me prudent, strong and brave,
52 He guided me with right and truth,
53 Filling my heart with love of truth ;
54 No tongue of man can sum His state,
55 . -_ Alla ho Akber! God is great.
56 He jeitad yerees toy ie worn eben planks to God for His benevolence and mercies ;
57 epeating the /fattha, he came down from the pulpit, and read his prayers,— ade
58 Akberi, the 25th year-of Akber’s reign. Pi i Pistiner Denese DAa SE ee Operate
59 Akber assumes the
60 position of a religious
61 reformer,
62 His new religion,
63 He assumes eccles{ag-
64 tical supremacy,
65 And is worshipped ag
66 a deity.
67 Tnnovations in the
68 Mahomedan religion,
69 Sri Satguru J agjit Singh Ji eLibrary ° Namdhariétibrary@ gmail.com