Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Anku Bharadwaj ¹

Affiliations
1 C/O Dr. Vijay Kumar, B/303, Planco Shanti Awas, Boring Patliputra Road, Patna, Bihar-800013, IN

Abstract

This paper explores the various norms of dining etiquettes and food aesthetics practiced by Early Mughal period in the time of the first three Mughal kings, Babur (1504-1530), Humayun (1530 -1556) and Akbar (1556 -1605). Studying the processes of constant change in their food habits, adab, and rituals over the period of time, this paper explains the extent of influence of the Turko-Mongol predecessors on early Mughal food habits and rituals, the influence of the dining etiquettes and customs in the construction of political authority, social identities and norms of civility and the role of food aesthetics in the construction of esteem and class-distinction.

Keywords

Dining Etiquettes, Food Aesthetics, Food Sharing, Hierarchy, Power, Mughal, Turko-Mongol.

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Anku Bharadwaj ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept. of History, University of Delhi, Delhi, IN

Abstract

In Mughal India, feasts were occasions of lavish ritual activity centred on the communal consumption of food and drink. Practices concerning the exchange, distribution and consumption of food were deeply enmeshed with the political processes and powerful imagery. This paper attempts to explore the relations of early Mughal feasting practices with the political culture, social identities and gender relations, in the time of the first three Mughal kings, Babur (1487-1530), Humayun (1508 -1556) and Akbar (1556 -1605). It also examines the extent to which the Turko-Mongol traditions influenced the practices of feasting and festivities in early Mughal period and the transition of the feasting culture with time. Early Mughal gastronomy has been explored to understand the complexity of meanings and deep symbolic significance, as well.

Keywords

Early Mughal, Turko-Mongol, Power, Feasts, Hierarchy, Food Symbolism, Mughal Women.

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