When a Sultan Bowed to a Saint: Akbar and the Ibadat Khana Debates

In this episode of Religion and Empire, Lucas and Luna explore a remarkable experiment in interfaith dialogue: the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) built by Mughal Emperor Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri in the 1570s. Initially convened with Muslim scholars, the debates soon expanded to include Hindus, Jains, Zoroastrians, Christians, and even atheists. Lucas unpacks how Akbar's insatiable curiosity and political ambition drove him to challenge orthodox Islam, issue the syncretic Din-i-Ilahi, and ultimately reimagine imperial authority as divinely inspired but transcending any single creed. Along the way, they discuss the impact of Jain monk Hira Vijaya Suri, Jesuit missionaries from Goa, and the role of Akbar's close advisor Abu'l-Fazl in crafting a tolerant, pluralistic vision for a multi-religious empire. The episode offers a nuanced look at how one ruler's personal quest for truth reshaped the spiritual landscape of early modern India. #Akbar #MughalEmpire #IbadatKhana #FatehpurSikri #Din-i-Ilahi #Abu'l-Fazl #HiraVijayaSuri #Jesuits #InterfaithDialogue #Sulh-i-Kul #16thCentury #India #History #ReligionAndEmpire #FexingoHistory #WorldHistory #Pluralism #AkbarTheGreat Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo