Kings And Chronicles : The Mughal Courts
What has Babar recorded in his reminiscences?
Babar’s reminiscences have been recorded in his autobiography ‘Tuzuk-i-Babari’ or ‘Babamama’. Babar had written this book in his native Turkish language. This is a big source of the contemporary history. It has been translated in many languages of the world as Persian, Hindi, English and French. It reflects the conduct, mode of eating and the way of living of the countrymen.
(i) Negative points of the country (As Babur has mentioned) : Babur jotted down in his reminiscences about India as follows :
India is a country of inferior beauty. Her natives are not beautiful. There is neither proximity nor social intimacy among her natives. There is no etiquette. There is no order, system or delicacy in manual work. There is no hot-water baths, universities, candles or lamp-posts. Water is found nowhere else excepting big rivers and revulets whose water too flows into valleys and pits. Farmers and other categories of people live almost nude. Male common people wear langotta that covers the parts below the navel with a narrow loin-cloth. The upper parts remain naked.
(ii) Positive points (As have been described) : The plus point of India is that it is a large country. Heaps of gold and silver exist here. Here winds are very pleasants during rains. There is one more speciality in India that people in large number know various types of arts and crafts. There are professional castes who practise the same work from generation to generation.
Conclusion : Having observed the then prevailing conditions of India while busy in warfare during the short span (1526-1530) of his life Babur made a vivid description of the same. It is deemed as an authentic and significant manuscript of the contemporary history. This book reflects the climatic conditions of the country, arts and crafts, the peoples, way of living, conduct and industries.
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Find out more about any one Mughal chronicle. Prepare a report describing the author, and the language, style and content of the text. Describe at
least two visuals used to illustrate the chronicle of your choice, focusing on the symbols used to indicate the power of the emperor.
Prepare a report comparing the present-day system of government with the Mughal court and administration, focusing on ideals of rulership, court rituals, and means of recruitment into the imperial service, highlighting the similarities and differences that you notice.
Why did Akbar abolish the pilgrimage tax? Give two reasons.
Mention the significance of Sijda in the Mughal court.
What was the form of greeting an ambassador was expected to offer while being presented before the Mughal emperor?
Mention the main objective of Akbar behind Jharokc Darshan.
Who is considered as the Great Mughal? Describe his two achievements.
How was Mughal dynasty came to an end in India?
Discuss any two objectives of the chronicles got prepared by the Mughal rulers.
Who were the authors of the Mughal chronicles? On which four points did they concentrate?
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