The pride and chic of the Mughal Empire were seen not only in their palaces and crowns, but also in the royal birthday celebrations. This was mentioned by historians Abul Fazal and Kishori Sharan Lal in their book The Mughal Harem, according to which Akbar started the weight weighing ceremony inspired by the Hindu tradition. The king was weighed twice a year on solar and lunar birthdays. Shehzadas and grandchildren weighed once a year. Gold, silver, diamonds, pearls, silk fabrics, spices and grains were used for weight. Jahangir has written in his memoirs that this ritual was organized in the buildings of the court, sometimes harem and sometimes Rajmata.

British travelers Edward Terry and Sir Thomas Raw have written the eyes of these royal rituals. According to him, Jahangir was weighed in scales with heavy gold chains. Carpets were lying on the scales. During that time, the courtiers used to stand all around and looked at the queens from behind the curtain. The king wore brilliant clothes adorned with gems and beads. At first they were weighed with jewels, then gold-silver, clothes, spices and grains. These materials were later donated to the poor and the needy, which also added religious and social importance to this ritual.

Haram’s participation and anniversary chance
The anniversary ceremony was not limited to the court only. Haram had great importance for women. Royal mothers often sent materials for weight. Sometimes the entire event was held in the building of Rajmata. Every year a lump would be tied on the lanyard by measuring the length of the king, which was called an anniversary. This tradition ran from Akbar to Aurangzeb, even though Aurangzeb gave less grandeur to many rituals due to his religious inclination.

Birthday feasts, alcohol, music and boating
The Mughal birthdays were not limited to rituals just. It was also a chance for grand feasts and festivals. Dozens of dishes and roasted meat were served in the royal feast. The liquor plates used to come in front of the courtiers and the emperor. Music, dance and festivals would last late at night. There were parties and picnics in gardens. Jahangir has written in his memoirs that he used to attend the birthday celebration overnight with women and children in Nur Jahan Begum’s palaces and lakes.

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In Indian history, the Mughal period is known not only for forts and monuments, but also for its luxury and grand harem. The harem of the Mughal emperors was not only a group of women, but it was the center of enjoyment, music and power. Historian Kishori Sharan Lal has mentioned in his famous book The Mughal Harem that in Haram, the wives of the emperor, as well as the women, maids and dancers. Haram was arranged in the hands of the main wives, but the woman on whom the king’s eye was stagnant, had increased to the court and administration.

In the Mughal court, women were often selected from special fairs, which used to be a fair of Naoroj and Khushrose. Beautiful and art -loving women from all over the country used to participate in these fairs. The emperors used to choose women of their choice and include them in the harem. These fairs were not only a celebration, but also political-social importance. Many times the courtiers and the rich used to increase their political grip and influence by presenting beautiful women to the king.

Bengali and Kashmiri women
Kishori Sharan Lal writes that the special choice of Mughal emperors was Bengali and Kashmiri women. Bengali women were famous for their beauty, music and dance. At the same time, Kashmiri women were specially known due to form, quality and attraction. The emperor often included women from these two regions in their harem. It is also clear from this that art, music and beauty were important in the Mughal carpet culture.

Haram luxury symbol
Mughal Haram was not only the abode of women, but it was the center of enjoyment of royal life. There was always an atmosphere of alcohol, music and dance here. In Islam, alcohol is considered harassed, but most of the Mughal emperors used to consume it. Vanas and maids were more impressive than wives. Haram’s women were not only a symbol of beauty but also played an important role in the political work and equilibrium of the court.

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