analyse how the mughal emperor's court procedure reflected his status and power.
Answers
Capitals and the courts of the Mughals The Mughal Capitals
The capital cities of the Mughals were frequently shifted during the 16th and 17th centuries.
When Babur brought the Lodi capital of Agra, the court was changed within four years of rule in the capitals.
The fort of Agra was constructed by Akbar during 1560s with red stone .In the 1570s ,he built a new capital Fatehpur Sikri.It was located on the direct road to Ajmer where the dargah of Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti had become an important pilgrimage centre.The Mughal Emperors shared a close relationship with the sufis of the Chishti silsila.Akbar constructed a white marble tomb for Shaikh Salim Chishti near Friday mosque at Sikri.Akbar commissioned the construction of Buland Darwaza(arched gateway) to remind visitors of the Mughal victory in Gujarat.
The capital was shifted to Lahore in 1585 in order to strengthen the control over north-west. Akbar monitored it closely for thirteen years.
Shah Jahan pursued sound fiscal policies and accumulated enough money to indulge his passion for building. Building activity in monarchical cultures was the most visible and tangible sign of dynastic power, wealth and prestige. In the case of Muslim rulers it was also considered an act of piety. In 1648,the capital was shifted to Shajahananbad.It was a new addition to the old residential city of Delhi with Red Fort,the Jami Masjid,a tree-lined esplanade with bazaars(Chandni Chowk) and spacious homes for the nobility.Shajahan’s ne city was appropriate to a more formal vision of a grand monarchy.
The Mughal court
The Mughal emperor’s court procedures reflected his status and power.
The throne or takht was visualized as axis mundi i.e., pillar or pole supporting the earth.
Canopy was a symbol of kingship
The status of the courtiers was determined by spatial proximity to the king
Once the emperor sat on the throne, no one was permitted to move from his position
Social control in the Mughal court
Defined etiquette was to be followed in the court with respect to the form of address, courtesies, speech etc.
The slightest infringement of etiquette was punishable on the spot.
The forms of salutation
The forms of salutation were indicators of a person’s status in the hierarchy.
For example, deeper prostration was a symbol of higher status.
Sijda or complete prostration was the highest form of submission.
Chahar taslim and Zaminbos (kissing the earth)
It was expected from an ambassador presented to the Mughal emperor that he would greet the emperor in an acceptable form of greeting.
These forms were: bowing deeply, kissing the ground or following the Persian custom of clasping one’s hand in front of the chest.
However, Thomas Roe the English envoy of James I greeted the Mughal emperor Jahangir according to European custom i.e., simply bowing before him.He shocked the court by demanding a chair for sitting.
Daily routine and festivals connected with the Mughal court
The emperor began his day at sunrise with personal religious devotions and prayers.
He appeared on a small balcony, for jharokha darshan in the morning.
A crowd of people (soldiers, merchants, crafts persons, peasants, and women with sick children) waited for the, darshan of the emperor.
Akbar introduced this practice of jharokha darshan.
The emperor walked to the public hall of audience (diwan-i am) to conduct the primary business of his government.
State officials presented reports and made requests.
The emperor was in the diwan-i khas to hold private audiences and discuss confidential matters.
High ministers placed their petitions before him in diwan-i-khas.
Tax officials presented their accounts in diwan-i-khas.
Reputed artists presented their work.
Building plans of the architects were viewed by the emperor.
On special occasions such as the anniversary of accession to the throne, Id, Shab-i-barat and Holi, the court was full of life.
Mughal rulers celebrated three festivals a year – the solar and lunar birthdays of the king and nauroz.
The king was weighed against the commodities, on his birthdays, and they were distributed in charity.
Perfumed candles set in rich holders and palace walls festooned with colourful hangings made a tremendous impression on visitors.
Emperors adopted high sounding and rhythmic titles which were announced by ushers in the court and they created an atmosphere of awe in the audience.
Answer:
1. The royal throne depicted the high status of the emperor
2. The canopy was the symbol of Mughal monarchy.
3. Each courtiers had a definite place to sit. it reflected his position in court. when the king was seated on his throne, no courtier could change his seat or go outside without the permission of the emperor.