The
Mughal Empire is not a household name outside of the subcontinent. There are people in the US who believe that before the British conquered
India, we all lived in tribes. Well that's OK - most people in India do
not know that much about US history either. The point is that among
people who do know a little bit about Indian history beyond the British
Empire, the Mughal Empire is widely known. I have even seen the Mughals
covered in high school text books in the US. There is a fair bit of
literature on the Mughals written by Western authors, certainly more
than any other dynasty that ruled India (except the British).
The founding of America had its genesis in the finding of India.
Since times immemorial, people from the world over flocked to India for her riches and her splendour. Perhaps, this is best evoked in the Mughal era from where we have chronicles and evidences of such a yearning to trade with India, to see India and to experience India. Why was Mughal India famous?
Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Defender of Faith. To the most invincible and most mightie prince, Lord Zelabdim Echebar, king of Cambaya. Invincible Emperor, The great affection which our subjects have to visit the most distant places of the world, not without good will and intention to introduce the trade of marchandize of al nations whatsoever they can, by which meanes the mutual and friendly trafique of mar- chandize on both sides may come, is the cause that the bearer of this letter John Newbery, jointly with those that be in his company, with a curteous and honest boldnesse, doe repaire to the borders and countreys of your Empire, we doubt not but that Your imperial Majestic through your royal grace will favorably and friendly accept him. And that you would doe it the rather for our sake to make us greatly beholding to your Majestic ; wee should more earnestly, and with more wordes require it, if wee did think it needful.
- Queen Elizabeth I's letter to King "Jalaluddin" Akbar, February 1583
The world was flocking to India: from Persians to Russians, from Abyssinians to Venetians, from Chinese to the English, and the English to Spanish, Dutch, Swedes, Portuguese, Ottomans and French. Why the beeline? Why were the Mogors/Moguls/Mughals/Mon
Economy
It is not strange that in terms of economic history, the Mughal Empire commanded the world's largest GDP by the time it was at its geographical peak under Aurangzeb. Good taxation, stability (at least before Aurangzeb's Deccan campaigns started) and so on, led to India commanding around 25% on average of the world's GDP, throughout the Middle and Later Mughal rules. It was often second largest (first being China), overtaking China in in the 16th century A.D. to become's the world's largest economy. India had a monopoly on diamonds, indigo and spices. Her textiles (from muslin to silks to kalamkaaris) and jewellery were in stupendous demand, her sandalwood, ivory, oils, carpets, furniture and a whole horde of things were prized. Trade naturally was the first reason for the growth of India's prominence on the world stage and by extension of the Mughal Empire's which directly ruled and commanded suzerainty from almost all of the Indian subcontinent. a trading firman from the Mughals gave access to world renowned ports along Gujarat on the West or Bengal in the East, and India's strategic location enroute to the Far East was a vital factor in foreigner's race for India too.
This was not just in terms of trade or commerce, several foreigners flocked to the Mughal court individually seeking employment as well. Perhaps, the most notable of these is Ghias Beg, a Persian courtier who sought employment in Akbar's court, rising to great heights via his daughter Nur Jehan being married to Jehangir, and his grand-daughter Mumtaz Begum (of the Taj Mahal fame), rising to become Shah Jehan's chief Queen while her father Asaf Khan served as the Commander of Armed Forces in both Jahangir and Shah Jahan's reigns.
Pomp and Celebration
The Mughals it must be remembered came from a primarily nomadic heritage. The early Mughal Emperors preferred residing in Imperial tents, as compared to palaces! They were more prone to constructing beautiful gardens (like in Kashmir and Afghanistan) than build spectacular edifices. However, post Humayun's return to India, a change took place in their lifestyle. They were the first "celeb royalty" of sorts. Amalgamating Indian customs and Islamic practices, they created an elaborate code for courtly festivals and commemorations A ruler's anniversary of ascending the throne was celebrated in both the lunar and solar calendars. The Persian festival of Nauroz was introduced by Akbar into the court customs and had a fourteen celebration with processions on gold caparisoned elephants which all the public could see. Feats for visiting travelers included preparations brought forth in beds of rubies and emeralds. Gifts were sent daily to emissaries of other lands ranging from gold Mohurs to jewel inlaid weapons, to jewels to gems to all sorts of precious items, so much so the travelers after a some years stay in India went back home and retired from public life often.
They would report the stories of grandeur, pomp and riches in their own courts and countries spurring further interest in India and the Mughal Empire.
Past present: Ambassadors at the Mughal court
Curiosity about the World
Although little known, Mughal Emperors maintained a healthy curiosity about the world beyond India. They received people from all faiths and kinds from Jesuits to Protestants to people from the New World sent as "gifts". Some of their sons like Prince Daniyal, son of Jahangir even studied English!
The Mughals always played off the Ottomans and the Persians against each other, even though it had little to do immediately with their geopolitical interests within India. They were interested in the discoveries of the New World, even in the religious affairs of faraway lands. Consider this letter from Akbar to Philip II of Spain:
As most men are fettered by bonds of tradition, and by imitating ways followed by their fathers... everyone continues, without investigating their arguments and reasons, to follow the religion in which he was born and educated, thus excluding himself from the possibility of ascertaining the truth, which is the noblest aim of the human intellect. Therefore we associate at convenient seasons with learned men of all religions, thus deriving profit from their exquisite discourses and exalted aspirations."
In this letter Akbar chides Philip II of Spain for his policy of discrimination against Protestants, and on the futility of waging wars on the name of religion! Thus, the Mughals were actively involved in engaging other Empires, often sending them grand gifts and exchanging embassies with them.
Fig: Jahangir seated on a European style throne, holding a seamless globe in his hand, which was thought impossible to have been manufactured in medieval times until their recent discovery in Mughal India.
And thus it was, that the idea of Mughal magnificence and grandeur caught hold of the world's imagination.
"Gar firdous bar rue zaminasto; haminasto, haminasto, haminasto!"
- If there be Paradise on Earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.....
(An instance of Jahangir quoting a Persian couplet when on the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi.)
Sources: Ain-i-akbari, Akbarnama, Tuzk-i-Jahangiri, Alex Rutherford's novels, Salman Rushdie's Enchantress of Florence, letters of explorers like Hawkins, Fitch, Roe, Niccolo da Conti etc.
The founding of America had its genesis in the finding of India.
Since times immemorial, people from the world over flocked to India for her riches and her splendour. Perhaps, this is best evoked in the Mughal era from where we have chronicles and evidences of such a yearning to trade with India, to see India and to experience India. Why was Mughal India famous?
Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Defender of Faith. To the most invincible and most mightie prince, Lord Zelabdim Echebar, king of Cambaya. Invincible Emperor, The great affection which our subjects have to visit the most distant places of the world, not without good will and intention to introduce the trade of marchandize of al nations whatsoever they can, by which meanes the mutual and friendly trafique of mar- chandize on both sides may come, is the cause that the bearer of this letter John Newbery, jointly with those that be in his company, with a curteous and honest boldnesse, doe repaire to the borders and countreys of your Empire, we doubt not but that Your imperial Majestic through your royal grace will favorably and friendly accept him. And that you would doe it the rather for our sake to make us greatly beholding to your Majestic ; wee should more earnestly, and with more wordes require it, if wee did think it needful.
- Queen Elizabeth I's letter to King "Jalaluddin" Akbar, February 1583
The world was flocking to India: from Persians to Russians, from Abyssinians to Venetians, from Chinese to the English, and the English to Spanish, Dutch, Swedes, Portuguese, Ottomans and French. Why the beeline? Why were the Mogors/Moguls/Mughals/Mon
Economy
It is not strange that in terms of economic history, the Mughal Empire commanded the world's largest GDP by the time it was at its geographical peak under Aurangzeb. Good taxation, stability (at least before Aurangzeb's Deccan campaigns started) and so on, led to India commanding around 25% on average of the world's GDP, throughout the Middle and Later Mughal rules. It was often second largest (first being China), overtaking China in in the 16th century A.D. to become's the world's largest economy. India had a monopoly on diamonds, indigo and spices. Her textiles (from muslin to silks to kalamkaaris) and jewellery were in stupendous demand, her sandalwood, ivory, oils, carpets, furniture and a whole horde of things were prized. Trade naturally was the first reason for the growth of India's prominence on the world stage and by extension of the Mughal Empire's which directly ruled and commanded suzerainty from almost all of the Indian subcontinent. a trading firman from the Mughals gave access to world renowned ports along Gujarat on the West or Bengal in the East, and India's strategic location enroute to the Far East was a vital factor in foreigner's race for India too.
This was not just in terms of trade or commerce, several foreigners flocked to the Mughal court individually seeking employment as well. Perhaps, the most notable of these is Ghias Beg, a Persian courtier who sought employment in Akbar's court, rising to great heights via his daughter Nur Jehan being married to Jehangir, and his grand-daughter Mumtaz Begum (of the Taj Mahal fame), rising to become Shah Jehan's chief Queen while her father Asaf Khan served as the Commander of Armed Forces in both Jahangir and Shah Jahan's reigns.
Pomp and Celebration
The Mughals it must be remembered came from a primarily nomadic heritage. The early Mughal Emperors preferred residing in Imperial tents, as compared to palaces! They were more prone to constructing beautiful gardens (like in Kashmir and Afghanistan) than build spectacular edifices. However, post Humayun's return to India, a change took place in their lifestyle. They were the first "celeb royalty" of sorts. Amalgamating Indian customs and Islamic practices, they created an elaborate code for courtly festivals and commemorations A ruler's anniversary of ascending the throne was celebrated in both the lunar and solar calendars. The Persian festival of Nauroz was introduced by Akbar into the court customs and had a fourteen celebration with processions on gold caparisoned elephants which all the public could see. Feats for visiting travelers included preparations brought forth in beds of rubies and emeralds. Gifts were sent daily to emissaries of other lands ranging from gold Mohurs to jewel inlaid weapons, to jewels to gems to all sorts of precious items, so much so the travelers after a some years stay in India went back home and retired from public life often.
They would report the stories of grandeur, pomp and riches in their own courts and countries spurring further interest in India and the Mughal Empire.
Past present: Ambassadors at the Mughal court
Curiosity about the World
Although little known, Mughal Emperors maintained a healthy curiosity about the world beyond India. They received people from all faiths and kinds from Jesuits to Protestants to people from the New World sent as "gifts". Some of their sons like Prince Daniyal, son of Jahangir even studied English!
The Mughals always played off the Ottomans and the Persians against each other, even though it had little to do immediately with their geopolitical interests within India. They were interested in the discoveries of the New World, even in the religious affairs of faraway lands. Consider this letter from Akbar to Philip II of Spain:
As most men are fettered by bonds of tradition, and by imitating ways followed by their fathers... everyone continues, without investigating their arguments and reasons, to follow the religion in which he was born and educated, thus excluding himself from the possibility of ascertaining the truth, which is the noblest aim of the human intellect. Therefore we associate at convenient seasons with learned men of all religions, thus deriving profit from their exquisite discourses and exalted aspirations."
In this letter Akbar chides Philip II of Spain for his policy of discrimination against Protestants, and on the futility of waging wars on the name of religion! Thus, the Mughals were actively involved in engaging other Empires, often sending them grand gifts and exchanging embassies with them.
Fig: Jahangir seated on a European style throne, holding a seamless globe in his hand, which was thought impossible to have been manufactured in medieval times until their recent discovery in Mughal India.
And thus it was, that the idea of Mughal magnificence and grandeur caught hold of the world's imagination.
"Gar firdous bar rue zaminasto; haminasto, haminasto, haminasto!"
- If there be Paradise on Earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.....
(An instance of Jahangir quoting a Persian couplet when on the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi.)
Sources: Ain-i-akbari, Akbarnama, Tuzk-i-Jahangiri, Alex Rutherford's novels, Salman Rushdie's Enchantress of Florence, letters of explorers like Hawkins, Fitch, Roe, Niccolo da Conti etc.
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