Luxury in the Mughal Empire: A Historical Analysis

This essay delves into the concept of luxury within the Mughal Empire, examining its multifaceted influence as a social, cultural, aesthetic, and economic force. It explores the social dynamics, cultural beliefs, and political legislations that shaped the Mughal regime, as well as the technological advancements of the era. The essay highlights the Mughals' opulent lifestyle, their patronage of the arts, and their impact on society, including religious tolerance and cultural development. It analyzes the effectiveness of their governance, political systems, and legal policies, including revenue generation and taxation. The essay also discusses the development of infrastructure, monuments, and the overall economic prosperity during the Mughal rule, concluding with a reflection on the empire's legacy and the luxurious lives of its emperors.

LUXURY IN THE MUGHAL
EMPIRE

The forts build by the Mughal emperors who rules all over the world determine the
degree of luxurious life they live in their era. Mughals were known for their rules, empires, forts,
technological development and effective governance (Bayly, 2016). In according with this
context, this essay will provide critical thinking on the notion of luxury as a social, cultural,
aesthetic and economic force of mughals regime and dynasty. Further this essay will cover the
context of social dynamic trends of mughals, cultural beleifs and values, political legislations and
laws while governing their dynasties. Moreover, the essay will provide the information about the
technological advancement done in the era of mughals. They were brave leaders, warriors and
efficient leaders. They ruled for many years and won many dynasties all around the world. The
Mughal empire was an empire that at its greatest territorial extent ruled most of the Indian
subcontinent.
The Mughals lived in great houses decorated with rich hangings and carpets. They were
surrounded with many servants and slaves who engaged with regular chores of empire (McNeil
and Riello, 2016). The fort they lived in made of precious stones and metals which include gold,
silver and diamond. For example, the great emperor Akbar who ruled India from 1542 to 1605
lived a lavish and luxurious life. The clothing of the mughal emperor imported from various
countries. Their clothing was made of the finest cotton or silk, decorated with gold; and they
carried beautiful scimitars. Moreover, they lived in very beautiful and exotic place. The Mughal
control of India impact the society in multiple and large ways (Fisher, 2015). Religious tolerance
was a new idea that Akbar brought with him. Akbar was fond of arts and brought Islamic and
Persian perspective to the artwork. The social policy in the era of Akbar was flexible, there were
no religious boundation and both Hindu and Muslims lived peacefully. This implies that the
social dynamic trend in the era of Akbar was effective and efficient that promotes growth of
social development and promote equality.
This implies that Mughals social policy was effective and their social dynamic trends
were followed almost worldwide and in every region they ruled. Many evidences shows that
some mughals emperors such as Akbar, Humayun and Babur were loved and supported by their
people because of their effective social policies and practices. Not only their own people but they
were also kind with foreign visitors as well (Seth, 2017). The courtly manners and the elaborate
etiquette of the Muslim upper classes impressed foreign visitors. In social gatherings they spoke
"in a very low voice with much order, moderation, gravity, and sweetness. Betel and betel nuts
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along with many types of dishes was served to the visitors. This shows the luxurious gesture
which was presented by the Mughal emperors. Akbar's bold attempts at religious reform
encouraged may Hindus to believe they could live in peace with their conquerors. The social
policies and practices followed by mughal emperors was effective and efficient (Tharoor and
Campion, 2017). The evidences can be found in the forts, literatures and other structures they
build and developed during their era.
Mughal emperors also worked to spread muslim culture through India. Mughals emperors
were fond of arts and culture. In their era, they aimed to develop the culture of the area they
ruled. Their culture was as rich as their dynasties (Wang, 2016). Artists, musicians, poets,
dancers came from different countries just for their entertainment. This implies that the cultural
trend of Mughals were luxurious and rich. They developed and implement new language “Urdu”
as a language of communication in India (Moosvi, 2015). With the help of Urdu, mughals made
interaction with their people and followers. The language was the combination of Sanskrit and
Arabic and was used by muslim people while making communication with other people. The
reign of Akbar, well known for improvement in various other domains, also constitutes a new
epoch in the growth and improvement of education. Akbar established many colleges in order to
provide higher education in Agra and Fatehpur Sikri and also contributed in the revision of
curriculum made for the primary students and childrens.
All the Mughal emperors were great patrons of learning and gave their full
encouragement to the spread of education in their dominions (Wang, 2016). For example, Babur
was himself a great scholar and developer of public work department known as Shuharat-i-Am.
This department worked under many Mughal Emperors after Babur. The motive of this
department was to increase the cultural development in the country (Roy, 2017). For this, several
scholars were called from different countries in order to increase the culture of the country.
Babur son Humanyun was fond of books and loves geography and astronomy (Shah and et.al.,
2016). He was the master planner of Madarsa (schools) at Delhi and converted the pleasure
house built by Sher Shah in Qila Kohana into library. The library was also known as Purana
Qila. Thus, it can be pressumed that Mughal emperor increases the culture in the territory they
ruled and governed.
Another mughal emperor Jahangir, was a great scholar and promotes cultural
development in his reign. He had written his memories known as Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri in Turki and
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Persian language (Hunt and Stern, 2016). Thus, it implies that Mughals were great promoters of
cultures. From the historic arts and sculptures left by them are the evidence that helps the
researchers and scholars to understand the culture in their era. They have ample amount of
knowledge and education that aid in growth and development of their culture (Mughal Politics.
2017). Many emperors innovated various measure which aid in growth and development of the
culture in the country. They have established various monuments and buildings where the whole
community gathered and conducted their religious activities. This implies that Mughals increases
their cultural practices effectively and efficiently.
The political system of Mughal empire was effectively organised. When Mughal emperor
came to power, each area was individually functioned and kept separated from other areas. In the
governance of great ruler Akbar, the centralised government system was established. It was
easier to be controlled, managed and administered (Banerjee, 2015). In the centralised
government system emperor was considered as the chief ruler and decision maker. Other
ministers were delegated with different departments and affairs. They have to report to emperor
and emperor will make decision on the basis of reviews and votes. Another role of emperor was
to supervise and monitor diplomacy and foreign control.
Whatever, emperor decided could not be challenged. The governance classified into four
parts which were controlled by ministers. The sections were Diwan (department of finances and
taxes), Mir Bakshi (the section of military affairs and state intelligence), Mir Saman (group who
govern the royal household, supervise factories, roads, stores and trades) and Qazi who took care
of religious and legal affairs. The political practices and procedures established in the reign of
mughal emperor was effective and efficient enough (Dale, 2015). The techniques and methods
are somewhat modified in the current era. Hence, it implies that the political methods are still
used by the current government effectively. During the rule of Akbar, nonnative Muslims were
designated to the highest ranks in the government department. Hindus were positioned to lower
but important position too (Mughal Empire. 2017). The aim of Akbar Sultanate was to provide
fair governance to the people. This will lead to effective growth and development of the Mughal
era.
These methods increased the luxurious and richness in the area they governed. Thus,
from this it can be understood that Mughal era political system was precise and effective (Bayly,
2016). Akbar removed the tax policies which were implemented by his predecessors and
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promotes equality in trade and justice. He was known as one of the most authentic and efficient
decision maker of his time. His policies was to increase the prosperity in the country and
developed the standard of living among people (Robinson, 2017). Thus, from this context, it can
be understood that the policies and practices developed by the Mughal emperors was effective
and efficient. This leads to growth and development of their dynasties. The Political system in
the Mughal empire was very successful, and has had many influences on the present.
Mughlas developed various legislations and laws in order to provide justice and promotes
equality during their governance (McNeil and Riello, 2016). Almost all the matters related with
laws were listened in the emperor fort. The mughal emperor was responsible for making decision
and provides justice to the victims. Leaders and emperors like Akbar and Shah Jahan was known
for their effective decision making process (Mughal Empire, 2017). The laws were made for all
people which includes Hindus and Muslims. Each and every individual has to follow the
legislation. Any person found to be guilty, was punished brutelly by the emperor. From the
archives, researchers found the methods by which the emperors gave punishments to the
prisoners. The methods were devastating and terrifying. Thus, it implies that the laws and legal
policies in the Mughal Sultanate was very strict and complex.
Every citizen in Mughal era was obliged to follow the legal rules and regulation
implemented by the Mughal Emperor. Aurangzeb was known for cruelty as most of the policies
developed by him was not in the favour of people (Fisher, 2015). He destroyed all the Hindu
temples and looted all the sacred and religious places of Hindu's. In order to fulfil his desires he
ordered to imprisoned his father Shah Jahan. The laws and legislation formulated increases the
wealth and property of Mughals (Mughal Politics, 2017). They lived a lavished and luxurious
life because these legislations and policies. Legal policies and laws developed by the Mughals
leads to increase their dynasties effectively and efficiently. The generation of revenue and taxes
in Mughal period was collected from the natives and population of the area. This implies that the
legal policies was designed to increase the revenue of Mughal emperor.
The Mughals developed “The Mansabdar System” in order to generate land revenue. This
system was very important for the Mughals. It was the main source of revenue generation. It was
a system that helped control the empire, conquer new territories, gain money and increase man
power (Robinson, 2017). The ruler gave permission to Mansabdar in exchange for promises of
soldiers in war time. The more the size of land, more the soldiers would be provided by the
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Mansabdar. Thus, the economic conditions of the mughals was depended upon this system.
Albeit other modes like taxes and penalties was imposed and revenue generated on the basis of
them. In 1600, revenue estimated in the era of Akbar's reign was around 17.5 million pound
(Seth, 2017). Thus, it implies that economy of the Mughal Sultanate was strong and efficient
enough to increase the luxuriousness in their life.
The Indian economy boomed under the Mughals because of the development of roads
networks, establishment of uniform currency together with the unification of the country.
Further, they have established multiple sources of revenue that aided in development of
infrastructure and monuments (Tharoor and Campion, 2017). This lead to increase in their
luxuriousness and also increase the standard of their living. Many researchers and scholars after
investigating the literatures, archives, mughal monuments, came to conclusion that Mughal
Emperors were known for their effective leadership, richness and efficient governance. Cities
and towns were boomed under the reign of Mughals. With the help of effective methods and
techniques they have developed effective modes of communication and transportations. Further,
they have improved the lifestyle of every citizen lived under their rule (Moosvi, 2015). The
researchers claimed that, Mughals were very good in engineering, as they have developed
gigantic monuments and forts. From this context, it can be stated that the life spent by Mughals
was luxurious and lavish.
Though, in the end of Shah Jahan era, the economy faced huge downfall. Shah Jahan
invested all the money and revenue in construction of “Taj Mahal”. It was built with ivory-white
marble on the south bank of Yamuna river in 1362. The Taj Mahal is the evidence of luxury life
Mughal lived in their era. Artists and architects were called from Arab nations and it took almost
22 years to complete the whole mausoleum. It is regarded by many as the best example of
Mughal architecture and a symbol of India's rich history (Roy, 2017). In front of Taj Mahal,
garden was developed by the Shah Jahn so that he can wander and think about the love of her
life. It is surrounded with four minarets which frame the tomb. Thus, it is the symbol of luxury
life of Mughals spend in their era. It was the time when people was left with no money and no
source of income was available to them. Many researchers and scholars after studying the
archives claimed that after completion of Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son
Aurangzeb (Shah and et.al., 2016). He passed the order to arrest his father for demolishing the
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economy of the country. Taj Mahal was build in the memories of Shah Jahan beloved wife
Mumtaz Mahal. This implies that Mughals does not hesitate in spending money even on tombs.
Mughals were famous for their efficient engineering and technological developments. In
India, there are many monuments, architecture and forts which were developed by the Mughal
Emperors (Roy, 2017). The technology and methodologies used by the Mughals was very
advance in their times. Researchers after investigating monuments like Humayun's Fort, Akbar'
Fort and the Taj Mahal, came to conclusion that the technologies used for developing the
monument was very advance and even the engineers from current period will not be able to
imitate it perfectly (Hunt and Stern, 2016). Thus, it implies that technological innovation was
highly acceptable in the era of Mughals. Not only in India, but in other parts of world as well.
The techniques innovated by Mughals are now used and implemented by many engineers
and scientiests for their research projects. The technological improvement leads to growth and
development of Mughal Sultanate effectively and efficiently. The improvement in
communication and transportations were the precise evidence of technological advancement in
the reign of Mughals. From this context, it can be understood that due to increase in technologies
and innovations, luxury in their era improved effectively (Banerjee, 2015). This implies that
Mughals were brilliant in innovating technologies to increase lavishness in their life. The
communication system implemented in Akabr's Fort was very well designed and structured
(Dale, 2015). The researchers were astonished after analysing the communication system of the
fort. From this it can be stated that development in field of technologies was one of the speciality
of Mughal emperors.
The aim of the essay was to provide information regarding the luxury in the Mughal
Empires. In the above essay, helps in providing brief knowledge and information about the
social, cultural, political, legal, economic and technological trends of Mughal empires. From the
above essay, the social dynamic trends of Mughals were derived effectively and efficiently. All
the cultural and social practices commenced in the era of Mughals were demonstrated in this
essay. Further, the political laws and polices that formulated under their regime has been
discussed in this essay effectively. The technological trends and innovations made by the
emperors were explained with reference of researchers and scholars.
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REFERENCES
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(revised edition) By Ebba Koch.
Fisher, M.H., 2015. A short history of the Mughal empire. IB Tauris.
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Expansion: A Soldier's Diary of the 1689 Siege of Bombay.
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Mughal Empire. 2017. [Online]. Available
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