Prince Khurram ( later Shah Jahan) Weighed Against MetalsMughal miniature
Jahangir Period
17th century AD
Jahangir describes this scene in his Memoir, Jahangirnama. According to him, Prince Khurram did not have good health. When he turned sixteen, the astrologers told Jahangir that an important epoch of his life would begin. In order to begin the period auspiciously, Jahangir had him weighed against precious metals, gems, cloth, etc. These were to be distributed amongst the poor and the needy. Jahangir also tells us that Akbar carried out this ceremony twice a year.
The Mughal artists have captured the opulence, the grandeur, the daily events of the Mughal court. Here we see a servant placing a bundle on the floor, a scribe writing the names of the material, we see the huge balance, the courtiers standing solemnly. We see a fine portrait of Jahangir and of young Khurram (later to be known as Emperor Shah Jahan). We see the Persian carpets and the Chinese painting on the walls. The Mughal world comes alive.
The Mughal artists have captured the opulence, the grandeur, the daily events of the Mughal court. Here we see a servant placing a bundle on the floor, a scribe writing the names of the material, we see the huge balance, the courtiers standing solemnly. We see a fine portrait of Jahangir and of young Khurram (later to be known as Emperor Shah Jahan). We see the Persian carpets and the Chinese painting on the walls. The Mughal world comes alive.
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