The Mughal Empire was not only famous for its politics and architecture, but its cultural and religious traditions also left their unique mark in Indian history, among which the month of Ramadan was considered very important. The Mughal rulers not only observed Ramzan themselves, but it was celebrated throughout the empire as a unique example of discipline, devotion and charity. From Babar to Bahadur Shah Zafar, every emperor lived this holy month according to his nature and circumstances.
The month of Ramzan has started from today. Ramzan, celebrated all over the world, holds a very special place for the Muslim community. In such a situation, the question arises that how was Ramadan celebrated during the period of Mughal emperors?
Babar: Following Namaz and rules even in the midst of war
Zaheeruddin Babur, the founder of the Mughal rule in India, observed Ramadan with utmost discipline as he was brought up in Central Asian traditions. Baburnama indicates that Babur used to observe fasts and also inspired his soldiers for disciplined behaviour. During his time, the atmosphere of Ramzan was simple but full of religious enthusiasm.
Babar laid the foundation of the Mughal Sultanate in India.
Babar personally liked light and simple food in Iftar. Even when he was at war, he understood the importance of fasting and took out time for prayers and recitation. His habits included distributing food and money among the poor.
Humayun.
Humayun: Recitation of Quran and organization of special feasts
Humayun was fond of astrology and Sufi philosophy, which was also visible in his observance of Ramzan. During Ramzan, state functions were reduced so that the king could spend more time in worship. He used to light lamps in the shrines of Sufi saints and organize special feasts. During fasting, he often recited the Quran himself and spent time in religious conversations with Ulama.
Mughal emperor Akbar. Photo: Getty Images
Akbar: Reduce noise and alcohol, distribute food and clothing
Akbar’s way of celebrating Ramzan was different and more elaborate than other Mughal emperors. Due to Akbar’s religious generosity, his subjects of all religions could celebrate their festivals peacefully. Akbar himself kept fasts, especially in the middle period of his life, when his spiritual inclinations increased.
During the month of Ramzan, the noise in the palace was reduced so that the atmosphere remained calm. Akbar used to organize charitable feasts, in which food and clothes were distributed to thousands of people. There was a special order of Quran recitation and worship in the mosques of Fatehpur Sikri. He used to order to provide food grains and financial assistance to the poor, travelers and poor families.
Jahangir. Photo: Getty Images
Jahangir: Abstain from alcohol, ban on music programs
Jahangir’s personality was considered to be artistic and luxurious, but he also followed complete discipline during Ramzan. In his autobiography Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri, he has mentioned that he used to completely give up alcohol during Ramzan. As soon as the fast started, music and entertainment programs were stopped in the palace. During Iftar, dates, sherbet, curd, sweet dishes, fruits and light food were served in the palace, but Jahangir himself ate relatively simple food. He gave special respect to Qazis and Ulemas and took religious advice from them.
Mughal emperor Shahjahan.
Shahjahan: Donation of silver coins
Mughal culture was at its peak during the reign of Shahjahan, and the same grandeur was reflected in the celebration of Ramzan. Shahjahan used to fast regularly and a large part of the court used to fast. There used to be a special recitation of the Quran in mosques, especially after the construction of Jama Masjid, its importance increased further. Both iftars and feasts were grand, but Shah Jahan personally preferred simple food. Donations worth lakhs were distributed among the poor; It was common to distribute grains, clothes and silver coins. On the 27th night of Ramadan (Shab-e-Qadr), huge prayers and lighting ceremonies took place.
Aurangzeb.
Aurangzeb: Donate money earned by doing long prayers, writing Quran
Aurangzeb Alamgir’s name is taken among the most strictly religious Mughal emperors. His seriousness towards Ramzan was even more. He used to fast for the whole month and offer long prayers at night. The work of the court was limited; Many times he also used to take judicial decisions after his prayers. Aurangzeb himself used to write and sell copies of the Quran and donate the money received from it. Music, entertainment, royal feasts and festivals were almost closed during Ramzan. Iftar was usually simple—dates, roti, dal and sometimes a light non-vegetarian meal.
Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Bahadur Shah Zafar: Ramadan of Fall
By the time the rule reached Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Mughal Empire had weakened politically, but cultural and religious traditions continued unabated. There was more spiritual and literary atmosphere in Red Fort during Ramzan. Zafar himself was of Sufi nature, hence he used to organize prayers, qawwalis and majlis during Ramzan. Charity was in his habit; Special arrangements were made for Roza Iftar for the poor and beggars.
The royal family and Ulemas used to offer prayers together in the Moti Masjid of the Red Fort. Despite difficult times, Zafar used to observe fasts and prayers with full devotion.
In this way we find that the Ramadan of the Mughal emperors was a mixture of their personal religiosity, the political circumstances of their time and cultural inclinations. Babur and Humayun lived this month with simplicity and discipline, Akbar made it a symbol of religious tolerance, Shah Jahan associated it with grandeur, while Aurangzeb adopted the most stringent religious discipline. The last emperor Zafar filled it with spirituality and Sufi spirit. Thus, in the Mughal Empire, Ramadan was not just a religious duty, but it is remembered as a beautiful example of culture, charity, discipline and humanity.
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