WI Akbar adopts Sikhism?

WI Akbar adopts a popular faith (i.e. Sikhism) instead of founding his own doctrine from behind his Palace walls? Indian history is not my strenght, but, as far as I know around Akbar's time Sikhism probably wasn't a established religion with scriptures and the Mughals eventually fought the Sikhs, nevertheless, is it impossible to make Akbar adopt Sikhism as an answer for his quest for a "Hindu-Muslim" mix? Can we foresee a long lasting Mughal Sikh Empire?
 
My understanding of Akbar's new religion is that it grew out of Sufi Islamic teachings, and he was able to cloak any heretical thoughts by still appearing as a Muslim ruler should even if it scandalized some of the clerics and aristocrats. However, formal conversion to Sikhism is outright apostasy. It will be very hard to retain complete loyalty of all the people he needs to maintain the Empire. Akbar already had to deal with some rebellions as a result of charges of heresy. As an actual apostate, he'll face a lot more challenges. It'll be war. Akbar will just have some loyal courtiers, Hindus, Sikhs, and other non-Muslims against established Muslim warriors. The most likely result is that he falls and a new dynasty is put in place. If Akbar secretly converts to Sikhism and starts a process of slowly preparing for the inevitable rebellion, then he might survive either as a much reduced empire, or in control of a complete empire. Even if he survives though, he and his empire will be greatly weakened.
 
Sikhism wasn't really a 'religion' but more of a Hindu sect during this time period. ( Though they did have the Guru Granth Sahib as a scripture )
However, getting a more successful Din-e-illahi can work if he tried to spread it among the scholars and spread it as a popular faith for the masses instead of the court religion it became OTL.
There were several other rather popular religious leaders/reformers like Kabir or Rahim as well who spread similar Hindu-Muslim syncretisms around this same time period. I could see Sikh doctrine of charity and equality among castes being co-opted in this scenario to the benefit of the state.
That said it would obviously will be tough, and this sort of project would take enthusiastic support of several successive Mughal emperors.
( I am on my phone right now see can't make the post too detailed )
 
@Blackfox5 yup formal conversion is out of the question because
1) No Badishah could actually be an apostate. Constant rebellion and coups by generals would be the result.
2) Sikhism wasn't really an out and out separate faith till their 10th Guru or leader.( He lived about a 100 years after Akbar's time) Religion in India has always been fluid especially so there wasn't an actual conversion rite to the Sikh sect till much after Akbar's death.
 
@Blackfox5 yup formal conversion is out of the question because
1) No Badishah could actually be an apostate. Constant rebellion and coups by generals would be the result.
2) Sikhism wasn't really an out and out separate faith till their 10th Guru or leader.( He lived about a 100 years after Akbar's time) Religion in India has always been fluid especially so there wasn't an actual conversion rite to the Sikh sect till much after Akbar's death.

That's interesting. I'll have to admit again that I know next to nothing about Sikh history, but, can we see Akbar inviting a Sikh guru to his court and this specific guru somehow takes the lead in the theological thinking of the court and eventually spread Akbar's palacial faith to the people? IIRC Akbar even invited some Portuguese Jesuits to his court...
 
That's interesting. I'll have to admit again that I know next to nothing about Sikh history, but, can we see Akbar inviting a Sikh guru to his court and this specific guru somehow takes the lead in the theological thinking of the court and eventually spread Akbar's palacial faith to the people? IIRC Akbar even invited some Portuguese Jesuits to his court...

As the others said above, Sikhism like most thoughts grown from Hinduism back then was seen as exactly that; an extension of Hindu thought. Sikhism didn't really start growing in popularity across Punjab till the fifth Guru. Even then there are still a lot of mainstream Hindus left in the state. For Akbar to even consider adopting this new mystic syncretic faith it would not only have to be way more popular, but it would have to spread out of Punjab and grow well into areas like Kashmir, Rajastan, Gujarat and the rest of the North-West. Hell, It might help if somehow Sikhism catches on in Karnataka and Kerala!
 
Hmm.. I could see Akbar quietly promoting Hindu-Muslim syncretism while instead of doing radical acts like converting, subtly start to participate in Sikh festivals or visiting their gurdwaras (temple). He did after all play Holi and held Diwali feasts. So a sort of 'the Emperor belongs to all faiths' scenario would be the most likely.
Pattonage from the imperial court would really help to spread it outside Punjab. Maybe Akbar could pull a Ashoka and manage to convert most of his realm but that would require him to be very careful and move with caution.
 
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longsword14

Banned
Never going to happen. Why would he bother alienating his entire base? Coexistence is all nice and well but conversion is impossible.
 
As mentioned, there was no concept of formal conversion to Sikhism by then. Also, it's debatable if there's a formal way to convert to Hinduism. He'd never be -formally- an apostate, he only needs to create a religion with a appeal to the common people. How can we do it?
 
Akbar like others have said was simply a deviant Sufi Muslim. Which is what he was termed by the Ulema, which while not ideal for Shariah is not Kufr Akbar and as far as I know he never committed such acts. Such as he never referred to himself as Allah as Shah Is'mail did or insult the Salaf. Thus even if he was deviant and clothed in Sufi mysticism, as long as he remained within Islam, rebellion was not permissible according to Shariah.

Now if he legitimately converts to another religion and becomes an apostate, then rebellion is prescribed by the Ulema and it will become too unstable. Especially since the Hindu populace probably would not support him anyway, thus it is a net loss. Likely Hindus join up with Rajput factions to destroy the dynasty and thus we have Akbar facing two rebel factions.
 
Isn't it possible to make Sikhism evolve to be a new Sufi order? There should be clear theological differences between Islam and Sikhism, but, as both the Sikhs and Sufis focus on meditation and monotheism, can't we simply convert one guru and let him spread the faith to the people?
 

longsword14

Banned
Isn't it possible to make Sikhism evolve to be a new Sufi order? There should be clear theological differences between Islam and Sikhism, but, as both the Sikhs and Sufis focus on meditation and monotheism, can't we simply convert one guru and let him spread the faith to the people?
You are then having just another Sufi offshoot. Distancing Sikhism away from its roots changes it utterly. You thus would not have Sikhism at all.
 
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