The great Moghul Emperor Akbar respected all religions, one of which was Jainism, which was then widespread in India.
Akbar ‘s contact with Jains began as early as 1568, when Padma Sunder who belonged to the Nagpuri Tapagaccha was honoured by him.
As mentioned in the book `The Mughal Empire’ by the well known historian Dr Ishwari Prasad, the Jains had a great influence on the Emperor.
A debate was held in Emperor Akbar’s Court between the Jain monks Buddhisagar of Tapgaccha and Suddha Kirti of Khartargaccha on the subject of the Jain religious ceremony called Pansadha ( probably Paryushan, which is the most important Jain function ) in which the winner was given the title Jagatguru by Akbar.
Having heard of the virtues and learning of Hir Vijaya Suri, a great Jain saint who lived in Ahmedabad, the Emperor sent an invitation in 1582 to him through the Mughal Viceroy at Ahmedabad. Suri accepted it in the interests of his religion. He was offered money by the Viceroy to defray the expenses of the journey but he refused.
The delegation consisting of Hir Vijaya Suri, Bhanu Chandra Upadhyaya and Vijaya Sen Suri started on their journey and walked on foot ( begging alms on the way, as was their custom ), to Fatehpur Sikri, and were received with great honour befitting imperial guests.
Hir Vijaya Suri had discussions with Abul Fazl. He propounded the doctrine of karma and an impersonal God.
When he was introduced to the Emperor he defended true religion, and told him that the foundation of faith should be daya (compassion) and that God is one though he is differently named by different faiths.
The Emperor received instruction in dharma from Suri, who explained the Jain doctrines to him. He discussed the existence of God and the qualities of a true Guru and recommended non-killing (Ahinsa). The Emperor was persuaded to forbid the slaughter of animals for six months in Gujarat and to abolish the confiscation of the property of deceased persons, the Sujija Tax (Jeziya) and a Sulka (possibly a tax on pilgrims) and to free caged birds and prisoners.
The delegation stayed for four years at Akbar’ s court and left for Gujarat in 1586. Hirvijay Suri imparted a knowledge of Jainism to Akbar and obtained various concessions to his religion. The Emperor is said to have taken a vow to refrain from hunting and expressed a desire to give up meat- eating forever as it had become repulsive to him.
Jainism, with its doctrine of non-violence, made a profound impression on the Emperor, and influenced his personal life. He curtailed his food and drink and ultimately abstained from flesh diet altogether for several months in the year. He renounced hunting which was his favourite pastime, restricted the practice of fishing and released prisoners and caged birds. Slaughter of animals was prohibited on certain days and ultimately in 1587 for about half the days in the year.
When Suri and his associates were leaving for Ahmedabad, the Emperor presented Padma Sundar scriptures, which were preserved in his palace, to Suri. He offered them as a gift, and Suri was pressed by the Emperor to accept them.
The delegation then departed on foot for Ahmedabad.
