History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v1.c7.5

v1.c7.5

On 15th April, 1637, Aurangzib arrived at Agra for his marriage.‡ Shah Jahan wrote him a most loving invitation in verse to come and see him quickly and without ceremony. Next day the Prince had audience of his father. The royal astrologers had fixed 8th May as the date of the marriage. In the preceding evening was the ceremony of henna-bandi or dyeing the bridegroom's hands and feet with the red juice of the henna (Lawsonia inermis). Following the Indian custom, the bride's father sent the henna in a grand procession of the male and female friends of his house, servants and musicians. With the henna came an infinite variety of presents, a costly full dress suit for the bridegroom, toilet needments, embroidered scarfs for his kinsfolk, perfumed essence, sugar candy, huge quantities of confects, dried fruits, prepared betel-leaves, and fire-works.