Prince Khurram ( later Shah Jahan) Weighed Against Metals

Prince Khurram ( later Shah Jahan) Weighed Against Metals

Mughal 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.

Jahangir Receives Prince Khurram on His Return from the Mewar Campaign

Jahangir Receives Prince Khurram on His Return from the Mewar Campaign

painting by Balchand from the  Padshanama

       The Padshanama, the biography of Emperor Shah Jahan,  was written by Abdul-Hamid Lahawari. It is similar to Akbarnama as both are biographies of the Emperors written by tge court hiatorians.

        Emperor Akbar had tried his best to subdue Mewar. But Maharana Pratap proved to be an elusive enemy. The task of conquering Mewar fell on Prince Khurram after Jahangir ascended the Mughal throne.  Prince Khurram successfully conquered Mewar. Ironically, Rana Amar and Prince Khurram subsequently became the best friends.

        Here we see Prince Khurram returning from the Mewar campaign.  Interestingly he is show touching the feet of his father, Emperor Jahangir--a Hindu custom.

        Balchand is one of the finest painters of Jahangir's and Shah Jahan's period.  He is known for his individualized portraits of the people. In this painting each figure can be identified as an individual person. The court scene is a veritable list of Who's who of Jahangir's court. This painting depicts the hustle and bustle,  the splendour and the opulence of the Mughal court. No wonder Europeans were dazzled by India's wealth.