34 AKBAR'S REFORMS

mind of Abu-1-Fazl a man of wide culture and pure spiritual ideals, who recognized his hero in his king, and devoted himself to him with his whole heart he began to encourage debates on doctrinal and philosoph- ical questions and displayed an eager curiosity in the discussions. These debates took place in a hall called the Hall THE DIVAH - I - KHAS, FATHPUR - SIKRI. of Worship (Ibadat-Khanah supposed to be identical with that now known as the Divan-i-Khas), founded in 1574 at the city of Fathpur, which had become the emperor's favourite residence. The city itself was the offspring of faith. Akbar, at least in the earlier part of his reign, was a devout visitor of holy places, and frequented the tombs of Moslem saints. We read again and again how he made solemn pilgrimages to famous