This painting shows the Mughal Emperor Akbar (r.1556-1605) worshipping the sun. According to contemporary records, the emperor offered prayers at sunrise and sunset when he recited many honorific names of the sun. Representations of Akbar worshipping the sun reflect on his curiosity about other religions, including Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism and Christianity, an interest which culminated in his syncretic thesis Din-i-Ilahi (Divine Faith).
