The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c16.97

v4.c16.97

It was now, in the rainy season of 1582, that Akbar took advantage of the presence of the provincial governors at court to promulgate his new religion, the *Dīn-i-Ilāhī* or “Divine Faith”. This step was perhaps accelerated by a wonderful escape which he and his courtiers had had. They had been playing draughts, chess and cards beside the great lake to the north of Fathpur Sīkrī when the dam burst, and it seemed that all must be overwhelmed by the torrent which it released, but all escaped except one menial servant who was drowned. Abu-’l-Fazl represents the escape of the courtiers as a miracle due to Akbar’s presence, but Akbar himself regarded the accident as a sign of divine displeasure at the playing of frivolous games and ordered their discontinuance.