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Kings And Chronicles : The Mughal Courts
‘‘Abul Fazal has given a vivid account of Akbar’s darbar.’’ Elaborate.
Akbar’s Darbar were as:
(i) The physical arrangement of the court, focused on the sovereign, mirrored his status as the heart of society.
(ii) Its centrepiece was therefore the throne, which gave physical form to the function of the sovereign as axis mundi.
(iii) The canopy, a symbol of kingship in India for a millennium, was believed to separate the radiance of the sun from that of the sovereign.
(iv) In court, status was determined by spatial proximity to the king. The place accorded to a courtier by the ruler was a sign of his importance in the eyes of the emperor.
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To what extent do you think the visual material presented in this chapter corresponds with Abu’l Fazl’s description of the taswir (Source 1)?
What were the distinctive features of the Mughal nobility? How was their relationship with the emperor shaped?
Identify the elements that went into the making of the Mughal ideal of kingship.
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.
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