Mughal Administration c11.22

c11.22

Taslim, or the peculiar mode of salutation followed in the Court of Delhi, was originated by Akbar. "The salutation called taslim consists in placing the back of the right hand on the ground, and then raising it gently till the person stands erect, when he puts the palm of his hand upon the crown of his head, which pleasing manner of saluting signifies that he is ready to give himself as an offering" (to the Emperor). Akbar tells us that he once did reverence to his father in this mode by accident, and Humayun was so pleased with it that he ordered it to be adopted as the regular mode of salutation at Court. (*Ain.* i. 158.)