Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s3.1

c5.s3.1

1. *The Court (or Bar).*—The custom of holding courts (or what is now popularly termed *darbar*) is very ancient among the royal traditions of Persia and came to be established in Hindustan within the first thirty years of Muslim rule.³ The Sultans of Delhi held the *Bar* on a number of public occasions, namely, to welcome an envoy or a distinguished guest, to announce the coronation of a monarch or to commemorate the event every year, to celebrate the birthday of the Sultan, to accept the *nazrs* and *nisars* (to be explained shortly) from his subjects and on a number of other social and religious festivals. This is by no means a complete list, for extraordinary convocations were also held to celebrate all kinds of events, for instance, a victory, the marriage of a member of the royal family or the birth of a prince or princess. When a foreign envoy was welcomed in open court, no measures were neglected to impress the visitor with the glory and magnificence of the State. The Sultan or his chief minister personally supervised the details of the reception. The monarch or one of his sons, or at least a distinguished noble, personally conducted the visitor to the court where he was received with much pomp and ceremony.¹ The coronation *darbars* were more solemn than formal. Sometimes before the public ceremony of crowning, *bai'at* (or the oath of allegiance) to a new Sultan was taken from the judicial functionaries (*Sadrs*), the nobles, the theologians and the Sayyids, in a private gathering without much ceremony. Everyone quietly approached the Sultan (who was seated on the throne), kissed his hand, congratulated him on his accession, and offered his homage. A public audience for the public and general oath (*Bai'at-i-'am*) was then held somewhat later with full ceremonies and display. Suitable gifts for charity were distributed to mark the occasion, prisoners were released, and a general spirit of happiness, gaiety, and cheerfulness prevailed in the country. Every year afterwards, a *darbar* was held to commemorate the day of coronation. Before or after the *darbar* the royal procession with caparisoned horses and elephants, with guards and retainers in rich and glittering costumes, and the nobles and officials in full and gaudy splendour, passed through the capital. In the *darbar* the oath of allegiance was renewed, *nazrs* (or *khidmatis*) were offered to the Sultan who gave suitable gifts in return, and the usual lavish sums were given away for charities.² Other *darbars* to celebrate certain social and religious festivals were more magnificent than formal or solemn. These are characteristically termed the *Jashn* *darbars* for their greater gaiety, and will be described elsewhere.³ The *Nau-ruz*, or the Persian spring festival, in particular, was celebrated with great enthusiasm. The religious occasions were marked more for a display of the pomp and grandeur of the State than for any religious or spiritual observances. For instance, on *Id* days a big procession of elephants, all draped in gorgeous silks and glittering ornaments, was formed to convey the Sultan and the religious and judicial functionaries, distinguished foreign visitors and the nobles to the *Id* mosque for prayers. A State banquet was held in the evening and all kinds of amusements and rejoicings were provided. When the usual *darbar* with the familiar features of *nazr* and *bai'at* was held, the court-poets were conspicuous for reciting especially composed eulogies.¹ More will be said about these festivals in speaking of amusements later.