After the construction of the step-well in 1559 A.D., people started bathing at one place which resulted in the elimination of differences on account of caste and creed from their minds. They started discarding the useless rituals of Brahmins. It became difficult for the Brahmins and high caste people to bear that low caste people think themselves to be their equals.In October 1566 A.D., King Akbar stayed for some time at Lahore. Taking advantage of his presence, the Brahmins and high caste people drafted a memorandum against Guru Amar Das and presented it to Akbar. Having read the charge-sheet, Akbar sent word to Guru Amar Das at Goindwal to come to Lahore and reply to those complaints. On receipt of the message, Guru Amar Das sent Guru Ram Das as his representative to Akbar.
The first complaint was, "The Sikhs do not recite the 'Gayatri' which, according to the teaching of Vedas, is to be recited thrice a day." Guru Ram Das said, "The doctrine of the Vedas also says that the Sudras (untouchables) cannot recite the Gayatri but the teaching of Guru Nanak is common for all the castes, creeds and faiths which tells us to remember God all the time and not merely to read it with the word of mouth only three times a day."
The second question was put, "The Sikhs do not visit holy places of the Hindus." Guru Ram Das replied. "The places of pilgrimage are not sacred because of the water but were sacred because of the sojourn of great and learned men who imparted knowledge to the pilgrims. Now, only Brahmins live at these places who only collect offerings. There is no learned man to impart knowledge."
The third question was, "The Sikhs do not believe in caste system." Guru Ram Das replied, "Manu Brahmin had invented the caste system in order to keep the poor oppressed. It was not for the welfare of the people."
The fourth question was, "Sikhs do not worship the idols." He replied, "Stone has no life. The God of the Sikhs is ever-alive. He is present everywhere all the time." Akbar was convinced by the answers of Guru Ram Das. Akbar honoured him with a robe of honour. Before leaving, Guru Ram Das said to Akbar, "It would be a great relief if you stop imposition of Jazia and Pilgrimage Tax on the Hindus." And Akbar complied with accordingly.
