Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s3.11

c5.s3.11

Before the ceremonies of presentation commenced, the nobles, officials, and other persons who assisted the Sultan stood in rows on two sides in front of the Sultan, with their hands folded on their breasts.¹ The main ceremony of presentation comprised what were termed the *kornish* and the *Taslim* under the Mughals. They can better be described than defined. The person to be presented to the monarch was introduced in to the hall of audience by an official called the *Barbak*, who led him to a spot at some distance in front of the monarch. Here he first bowed his forehead to the ground and then advanced towards the throne, making low obeisance three times at intervals, guided in choosing the moment for obeisance by the solemn cries of the Naqib and his pursuivants, which will be described later. This is what was called the *shart-i-zamin-bos* or ‘the ground-kissing ceremony’.² If the person presented was especially privileged to approach the royal person (which was very exceptional, the privilege being confined to those above the rank of a *Sipahsalar*), he was thoroughly searched before his entry into the hall of audience.³ Approaching the monarch, he prostrated himself at the royal feet; the visitor then remained standing with bowed head irrespective of rank and position, and addressed the Sultan in especially chosen language indicative of his extreme humility and deep devotion. There he presented his *nazr*. If he was of exceptional distinction, the Sultan perhaps condescended to take him by the hand, or even embraced him and touched his offerings with his royal fingers, which greatly eased his agitated mind.⁴ This was about the most intimate public experience anyone could have of the great Sultans of Delhi. By rules of public behaviour, the Sultan remained hidden and inaccessible even to the highest dignitaries of the court.⁵ In some cases the position was very embarrassing and annoying to both parties, and two instances are of historical interest. When Bughra Khan was presented to his own son, Sultan Mu'izz-ud-din Kaiqubad, the reigning monarch of Delhi, and was engaged in duly carrying out all the State ceremonies of presentation, so humiliating to the feelings of a father, the reserve of the Sultan finally gave way and he forcibly lifted his father and seated him on the throne beside him. Similarly, when once Kamran Mirza, the rebel brother of Humayun, was presented to the Mughal Emperor after his surrender and carried out all the provisions of court etiquette, the patience and reserve of Humayun broke down. He asked Kamran to embrace him a second time 'as a brother' when he broke into tears of joy and fraternal love.¹ The provincial dynasties adopted similar court etiquette in their kingdoms.² Though no detailed account is available of the Hindu courts, it may be safely assumed that the dignity of the royal person was as strictly guarded there as under the Sultanate, and probably the rules of behaviour of the court were elaborated on similar lines.³ The Mughal Emperor Akbar did not alter or improve upon the existing code of court ceremonials to any considerable degree.⁴