Court rituals and etiquettes: presents (1526–1707)

Abstract

The mughal court rituals and etiquette have been referred to in the contemporary court chronicles in the context of various events which form an interesting theme in understanding the mughal polity, society and administration. Rituals and etiquettes defined and expressed the emperor's relationship with the ruling elite and also with the subjects in general. Infect the nature of rituals and etiquettes referred the nature of sovereignty. Broadly speaking the mughal rituals and etiquette evolved from two sets of components, what the mughals brought with them from central Asia and what they found in Hindustan. One of the major objects of these rituals and etiquettes was to enhance the power and prestige of the emperor. Thus they strengthened the ties between the emperor and the imperial servants. The practice of accomplishing presents to the mughal emperor remained as a custom throughout the mughal period. These etiquettes, rituals and customs were designed to enhance the power and prestige of the mughal emperor in the eyes of the various types of the grandees of the state as well as the people at large. They are found in Akbar's liberal, broad and humane outlook and earned a broader acceptance of the subjects for the mughal polity but it took a long way in shaping a distinct mughal polity and culture in India which articulated kingship of higher order than that of earlier Turkish Sultans of Delhi. The outlook of Akbar's successors also reflected in their court rituals and etiquettes, however, brought some changes in Akbarid traditions. Most valuable presents were given to the emperor Jahangir by his nobles and the magnificence of the court increased considerably in Shahjahan„s reign. The hall mark of the Aurangzeb's reign was his puritanical outlook guided by his religious bent of mind as he stopped some Hindu customs. Such departures from Akbar's liberal and broad outlook based traditions were not without results. The beliefs and assumptions about the nature of mughal sovereignty and polity are well defined in the mughal court rituals and etiquettes. Infect the nature of rituals and etiquettes reflected the nature of sovereignty. The presents meant for the nobles were not of much value. But the presents offered to the king were very valuable and rare and costly things. It was expected that the worth and glitter would enhance the splendor of the imperial court and that person might win the imperial favour after giving his presents. Nazr was less substantial and was offered in thanks giving on felicitous occasions of lesser importance. It had only a nominal amount whereas the peshkas must have imposed a real burden on the nobles. These presents may be regarded as an investment because on the occasions when the emperor received the nobles‟ offerings he also in return gave away valuable gifts to them in the form of jagirs, appointments, promotions sometimes in cash and things like jewels, elephants, horses and sets of robes. The visit of the emperor to an amir was an honour and was always an occasion for the later to make valuable presents. The court rituals, thus, established and defined the relationship of the emperor with the imperial servants and the subjects and also strengthened the ties between the emperor and his officers.