Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c6.s1.29

c6.s1.29

The culture of flowers is of very ancient date in Hindustan. They have been remarkable for their charm, smell and variety. A number of them like the *Tulsi* and the marigold have become partly sacred, being associated with many religious rites and offerings. The gift of flowers was a common courtesy among the Hindus. Important social occasions and domestic ceremonies were always accompanied by offers of flowers and flower-garlands. For instance, it was difficult to imagine a newly wedded couple or their bed without wreaths of flowers. Whole chapters of their books have been devoted by Amir Khusrau and Malik Muhammad Jaisi to the description of the flowers of the land. We will revert to flowers at the close of our paper. It is worth while remembering in this connection that Babur did not make any improvement in the quality or the variety of Indian flowers in his kingdom, beyond introducing a variety of rose from Gwalior into his garden at Agra.¹