The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c18.39

v4.c18.39

These bonds of friendship and complaisance were, however, strained by the force of religious difference. While Shāh Jahān was a strict Sunnī the kings of Golconda belonged to the Shiah sect and for more than thirty years had included the name of the reigning Shāh of Persia in the weekly Friday prayers, as a recognition of his authority. The demands on Golconda thus included the abolition of Shiah practices and an explanation why the authority of the Shāh was respected, besides the usual request for presents. Some show of resistance was made as had been the case with Bījāpur. Judges of the Islamic law and divines were assembled at Golconda and they advised compliance. Shāh Jahān's name was inserted in the Friday prayers, and the Mughul troops were withdrawn from the frontiers, without having to make the show of force which had been necessary at Bījāpur. As the Golconda kingdom was weaker than Bījāpur the terms imposed on it were harder. They included the abolition of the Shiah formula and the use of the emperor's name on coins,¹ payment of an annual tribute of 200,000 *hūns*,² with arrears then due, continued loyalty, and the promise of help if Bījāpur attacked the imperial forces. Among the presents taken to the emperor with the written treaty (May, 1636) were included coins of Mughul type bearing his name for the first time. His return presents included his portrait and a gold tablet on which the details of the treaty were engraved.