The European traveler Peter Mundy, an English merchant and writer, came to India during the reign of Shah Jahan (1628–1658). He provided valuable first-hand accounts of the Mughal court and the devastating Deccan famine of 1630–1632. Hawkins and Roe visited ...
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Abul Fazl, Akbar’s chief intellectual architect and court historian, called him ‘Zill-e-Ilahi’ (Shadow of God) and ‘Farr-e-Izdi’ (Light emanating from God). These titles were central to Abul Fazl’s formulation of the theory of divine light (Farr-i-Izidi), which argued that the ...
The Mughal emperor Akbar was born in the palace of Raja Veersal of Amarkot (Umarkot) in Sindh (present-day Pakistan). This occurred in 1542, during the exile of his father, Humayun, who had been forced to seek refuge after his defeat ...
The ‘Dahsala settlement’ (or Bandobast system) is directly related to Raja Todar Mal, the capable Finance Minister of Emperor Akbar. Implemented in 1580, this revenue system fixed the land revenue based on the average produce and prices of the preceding ...
Balban introduced the practice of “viewing the royal canopy” to enhance royal dignity and emphasize the divine aura of kingship. The ceremonial canopy symbolized supreme authority. Nobles viewed it from a respectful distance, reinforcing Balban’s strict court etiquette and strengthening ...