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Capitals and Courts (6) The Mughal Court (6.2) (The physical arrangement…
Capitals and Courts (6) The Mughal Court (6.2)
The
physical arrangement
of the court focused on the
emperor
1
mirrored his
status as the heart of society
thus, the
centerpiece
was the
throne
or
takht
- king became the
axis mundi
the
canopy
- a symbol of kingship in Inida for a millennium -
separated the radiance of the sun from that of the king
Chronicles
contain rules about
status of Mughal elites
2
in court
status
was determined by
spatial proximity
to the
king
the
place
of a courtier was the sign of his
importance in the eyes of the king
Once the emperor sat down on his throne no one was permitted to move from his position or to leave without permission
Social control was exercised by carefully defining the forms of address, courtesies and speech which were acceptable in court
the slightest mistake was noticed and punished on the spot
forms of salutation indicated a person's status - deeper prostration represented higher status
3
The highest form of submission was sijda or complete prostration
Under Shah Jahan these were replaced by Chahar Taslim and zaminbos (kissing the ground)
The protocols governing diplomatic envoys were very explicit as well
4
an ambassador presented to the Mughal emperor was expected to offer an acceptable form of greeting - bow deeply, kiss the ground or persian greeting of clasping hands before the chest.
Thomas Roe, English envoy, just bowed and demanded a chair - shocked everyone
The emperor began his day at sunrise
5
offered personal religious devotions or prayers
appeared in a balcony , the jharoka, facing the east
people waited outside for darshan of the emperor
Jharoka darshan was introduced by Akbar with the objective of boradening the acceptance of the imperial authority as part of popular faith
After 1 hr at Jharoka emperor want to the public hall of audience to conduct the primary business of his govt
6
State officials presented reports and made requests
2 hrs later, emperor was in diwan-i khas to hold private audience and discuss confidential matters
high ministers of states places their petitions before him and tax officials presented their accounts
occasionally king looked at works of reputed artists or building plans of architects
on special occasions court was full of life
7
colourful wall decorations and perfumed candles
on his bdays, the monarchs were weighed against various commodities which were then distributed in chairty
mughal emperors celebrated three main festivals
solar and lunar bdays of Nauroz
Iranian new year on the vernal equinox
solar and lunar birthdays of the monarch