9 
stone considers his religion to have been a pure deism; while it is 
more than probable that some contemporary Mahometan writers, 
who characterised some of his intimates as free-thinkers, and even 
as atheists, may have put Akber in the same category, though they 
may have shrunk from openly expressing their views. 
His main tenet seems to have been that man could of himself 
acquire knowledge of God, and that we ought to serve Him, and 
seek for our future happiness by subduing our bad passions, and 
practising such virtues as are beneficial to mankind; but that we 
should not regard any Dogma, Creed, or Ritual promulgated by 
man as infallible, as every man was liable to vice and error like 
ourselves. He did not neglect ordinances however altogether, 
and practised prayer twice in the twenty-four hours—at midnight 
and at daybreak. He held that his right to interfere at all with 
the religion of others, was grounded on his duty as civil magistrate. 
In the propagation of his opinions, Akber confined himself to 
persuasion, and made little progress except among the people 
about his Court, and a few learned men; but his measures were 
much stronger in abrogating the obligations of the Mussulman 
religion, which, till now, had been enforced by law. Prayers, fasts, 
alms, pilgrimages, and public worship were left optional; the 
prohibition of unclean animals, that of the moderate use of wine, 
and that of gaming with dice, were taken off; and circumcision 
was not permitted until the age of twelve, when the person to 
undergo it could judge of the propriety of the rite. 
As the Hindoos had not been supported by the government, 
Akber had less occasion to interfere with them; and, indeed, 
from the tolerant and inoffensive character of their religion, he 
seems to have had little inclination. 
He, however, forbade trials by ordeal, and marriages before the 
age of puberty, and the slaughter of animals for sacrifice. He also 
permitted widows to marry a second time, contrary to the Hindu 
law. Above all, he prohibited the burning of Hindoo widows 
against their will, and took effectual precautions to ascertain that 
their resolution was free and uninfluenced. On one occasion, 
hearing that the Rajah of Judpur was about to force his son’s 
