Mughal Administration c6.s2: § 2. The Daily Life of a Mughal Emperor.

Mughal Administration c6.s2

Language: English

§ 2. The Daily Life of a Mughal Emperor.

c6.s2.1

In the Persian histories we find full descriptions of the way in which the Mughal Emperors used to spend the day. [See Studies in Aurangzib's Reign ii.]

After doing his morning prayer and devotional reading, and appearing at the balcony of the salute (darshan) where he looked at elephant-combats and the parade of cavalry, the Emperor held his public audience in the Diwān-i-ām hall for two hours. The Paymaster-General reported to him the petitions of the military officers and immediately received His Majesty's orders on them, giving promotions to some, new posts to others. Officers who had come from the provinces and those newly appointed to some province or post were then presented by the heads of their departments...Next came the clerks of the department of the Crownlands or the Emperor's Privy purse. Through their chiefs they submitted their various proposals and received orders.

c6.s2.3

Then the courtiers who enjoyed the Emperor's confidence placed before him the despatches of the princes, governors and other provincial officers and also the presents sent by them. The letters of the princes and chief officers were read by the Emperor; the purport of the rest was reported to him. When this work was over, the Chief Sadar reported the important points in the despatches of the provincial Sadars. He also brought to the Emperor's notice cases of needy scholars, Sayyids, Shaikhs, and pious men, and secured grants of money for them.

c6.s2.4

Then, the orders previously passed about mansabs, jagirs, cash grants and other financial matters, were submitted to the Emperor a second time for confirmation. Next, the officers of the imperial stables paraded before His Majesty the horses and elephants, in order to show whether they were well-nourished, or whether their fixed rations had been stolen.

c6.s2.5

The Public Audience being over, the Emperor met his highest ministers and a few select persons in the hall of Private Audience (*Diwān-i-khās*) and transacted business of a confidential nature. Answers to the most important despatches received were here written, and *farmāns* were ordered to be drafted in reply to the others, according to the Emperor's verbal instructions. The highest revenue officers now reported on very important matters connected with the Crownlands &c. and learnt the Emperor's pleasure on each point. The Head Almoner brought to His Majesty's notice special cases of needy men, who received gifts. Then the works of skilful artisans, jewellers &c. and the plans of royal buildings to be constructed were examined and discussed.

c6.s2.6

This was followed when necessary by a secret council in the Shāh-burj tower to which only the wazir, and sometimes one or two specially invited officers, were admitted.

c6.s2.7

In the afternoon, a short public darbār was held after 3 P.M., if there was any business to be done. The courtiers and the officers of that night's guard made their evening salute, and the royal standards (qur) were presented.

c6.s2.8

In the evening, after candles had been lighted, the Emperor held a soiree in the Diwān-i-khās. Shah Jahan used to spend nearly two hours here, with his chosen associates, partly in attending to the administration and partly in pleasure.—such as vocal and instrumental music and dances. Aurangzib, however, was a Puritan. There was no music or dance at his Court ; he only transacted business. The wazir reported on all affairs of the revenue department and took his orders. Other kinds of State business were also done here.

c6.s2.9

This routine was varied on three days of the week, namely Friday (which was the Islamic Sabbath), Thursday (which was a half-holiday), and Wednesday (which was the day of justice,—when no public audience was held but the Emperor sat in the Diwān-i-khās for trying cases.)