Foundations of an Imperial style

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Foundations of an Imperial style

• 1556-1605

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Review

• Administrative reforms in Akbars time extend
  imperial reach into the countryside
• Existing chiefs/Iqtadars are now classified as
  zamindars and given an option to join the new
  regime
• Steps takes to weaken the resources available to
  rebels
• Peasants benefit from some of these reforms
  (trade and monetization)

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The Trading Networks

• Building of new roadsextension of Grand Trunk
  Rd.
• Abolishment of local tolls and taxes on trade
• Faujdars (imperial commanders) charged with
  keeping peace
• New currency regulations lift the value of Mughal
  coinage
• New carvanserais, kos minars, baolis (step wells)
  built
• Riverine systems dredged, port regulations
  formed, provisions made for the care of foreign
  travelers

Kos minar or distance marker
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The new Hybrid Imperial Style

• Monumental architecture in red sandstone and
  marble
• Stylistic motifs borrowed from indigenous
  stylesdecorative motifs, pavilions, chattris

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Panch Mahal in Fatehpur Sikri
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Interpreting Akbars designs

• An imperial camp in stone?Timurid roots
• An homage to the chisti Sufi designating the
  Imperial space as sacred (Fatehpur Sikri)
• New Architecture reflects new policy of borrowing
  and mixing Indigenous elements
• Reflects an entirely new way of thinking about
  urban planning and the new domestic space
• Can all of these be true?

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Decorations from the Kacchwa palaces at Amber
Compare w/ decorative motifs at Fatehpur Sikri
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Detail of wall at Fatehpur Sikri
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Amber Hindu Temple, Mughal residence?
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The Imperial Sacred Space

• Sheikh Chistis tomb in Sikri
• Note the serpentine brackets
• Mixture of Islamic and indigenous building styles
• Ritual use of screens

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Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri

• Radial arrangement of space
• Elevated column/throne
• Architecture mirroring new policy of Sulh-i Kul?

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Multiplicity of Motives?

• Humayuns tomb in the new style
• The hasht-bihisht symbolism in garden and
  building
• The posthumous titles denoting sacredness
• Containing both Timurid and Indigenous themes

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Hybridity in Other arts

• Notice central Asia/Chinese influence in the
  treatment of rocks
• Attention to details of Krishna mythology
• Mughal style apparent in the depiction of
  peopleindividualized portraits

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Jahangir, 1605-1627
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Succession and rule

• Akbar designated Salim as successor, but
  reluctantlyother sons were dead or
  incapacitated, Salim was rebellious
• Khusrau, Jahangirs eldest son was already
  favored by many nobles, particularly Rajputs
• Sayyids of Barrah, however, were key to ensuring
  the succession as designated by Akbar (a locally
  powerful clan of Indian Muslims)

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Jahangirs Personality

• Struggled to emerge from his fathers large
  shadowas is evident from the Tuzuk-i Jahangiri
• Establishes a reputation as a patron of arts and
  as one interested in scholarship
• Showed an interest in the novel and unexpected
  more than the routinehunting, arts, exotica
• Good at delegating authority to talented men and
  women
• Addicted to alcohol and opium, but administration
  runs smoothly in other hands

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Channeling Akbars legacy

• Continuation of the Din-i Ilahi and opposition to
  narrow constructions of Islam
• Patronage of Chistis
• Persecution of Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi
• Persecution of the 5th Sikh Guru, Arjan Dev
• Patronage of Gossain Jadrup
• Continuities and differences with Akbar

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• Visiting the Gossain Ascetic Jadrup

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An Expanding Empire

• Trade continues to grow both overland and by sea
• Charters granted to the East India Company
• No price revolution or silver inflation in
  India comparable to Europe after the opening of
  new world silver mines
• Expanding frontiers in the west and south

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Prince Khurram and Expansion

• Earlier expeditions by Jahangir and other
  imperial generals were not as successful
• Mewar, Kangra, Ahom, Deccan
• Khurram emerges as the pre-eminent general in his
  fathers army
• Tactics include the use of checkpoints, expanded
  siege weaponry, holding hostages, diplomacy
• His success leads to eventual tensions with
  Jahangir

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Major Campaigns for Khurram

• Mewar1613
• Kangra-1618
• Deccan1619-1620 including Ahmadnagar, Bijapur
  Golconda, this war produces a large treasure but
  also demonstrates the problems encountered in
  subduing the Deccan

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Areas Subdued By Khurram Fully Incorporated later
Kangra
Mewar
Ahoms
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Nur Jahan

• Jahangir marries Nur Jahan in 1611
• Father Itmad-ud-Daulah and Brother Asaf Khan
  quickly rise to level of Wizir
• Matrimonial alliances
• Niece Mumtaz Mahal marries Khurram
• Daughter Ladli Begum marries Shahrayar
• Rules as consort as evidence by Coins, seals,
  official documents, memoirs

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Problems with Authority in this Period

• After 1611 and until 1621, Nur Jahan appears to
  be central in court affairs
• Prince Khurram controls the Army and displays
  open resentment of his father and later Nur Jahan
• Declines transfer to the Deccan
• Has to send children as hostage to court
• In-laws hold key posts, Asaf Khan supports
  Khurram
• Nobility splits its support, but continues to
  support Jahangir most of all

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Jahangirs Death and Crisis

• Problems with security evident in 1626 when
  Mahabat Khan seizes the Emperor and Nur Jahan
• Prince Parvez and Shahrayar emerge as contenders
  (only due to factions)
• Prince Khurram still far away from court when
  crisis errupts
• Persians seize Kandahar
• Asaf Khan secures the throne for Khurram