Akbar held religious discussions with scholars of different faiths at Fatehpur Sikri in a building known as the:

Akbar held religious discussions with scholars of different faiths in the "Ibadat Khana" ("House of Worship"), which he built at Fatehpur Sikri in 1575.

About the Ibadat Khana:

• At first, only Muslim scholars (Sunni ulema, Shias and Sufis) were invited to the discussions, which were held on Thursday evenings.
• Akbar was disappointed by the quarrels and bitter arguments among the Muslim scholars.
• From 1578, he invited scholars of other religions as well: Hindus (Brahmanas), Jains, Zoroastrians (Parsis), Christians and Jews.

Participants in the discussions:

• Christians: Jesuit priests from Goa, such as Rudolf Acquaviva and Antonio Monserrate, came to Akbar's court in 1580.
• Jains: Hiravijaya Suri, a Jain monk, visited Akbar, who gave him the title "Jagadguru"; Akbar also banned animal slaughter on certain days at Jain request.
• Zoroastrians: Dastur Meherji Rana, a Parsi priest from Navsari.
• Hindus: Purushottam and Devi, who explained Hindu philosophy to Akbar.

NCERT on the Ibadat Khana:

• NCERT notes that Akbar's interaction with people of different faiths made him realise that religious scholars who emphasised ritual and dogma were often bigots.
• Their teachings created divisions and disharmony among his subjects.
• This eventually shaped his broader policy of tolerance.

The end of the discussions:

• The discussions were stopped after a few years (around 1582), as they often led to bitterness.
• The building no longer survives; its exact location at Fatehpur Sikri is debated.

Akbar's religious policy:

• He abolished the pilgrimage tax and the jizya.
• He issued the Mahzar (1579).
• He promoted a spiritual order for his close followers.
• He celebrated festivals of different religions.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Diwan-i-Khas was the hall of private audience.
• ✗The Panch Mahal is a five-storeyed pavilion.
• ✗The jharokha was a balcony for public appearances.