IMPORTANT TERMS OF HISTORY

KINGS AND CHRONICLES THE MUGHAL COURTS 

TERMINOLOGY

1)  Chronicles: It is a continuous chronological record of events.

2) Manuscript: The handwritten records.

3) Divine theory of kingship: The king was believed as the representative of God acquired his powers from him and therefore had to be obeyed.

4) Sulh-i-kul: It is state policy of religious tolerance.

5) Jazya: A tax imposed on non Muslims in a lieu of military service.

6) Mansabdar: All royal officers were known as mansabdars.

7) Chahar taslim: A form of salutation to the emperor which is done four times.

8) Tajwiz: A petition presented to the emperor by a nobleman recommend

to the post of a mansabdar

9) Din: Faith

10) Namus: Honour

11) Nastaliq: A fluid style of writing with long horizontal strokes.

12) Diachronic: An account which traces developments over time.

13) Synchronic: It depicts one or several situations at one particular moment.

14) Faer-i-izadi: Light emanating from God

15) Axis Mundi: A latin phrase for a pillar or a pole that is visualised as the support of the Earth.

16) Sijda: Complete prostration (profound salutation)

17) Zaminbos: Kissing the ground.

18) Jharokha: Public audience.

19) Taslim: Mode of salutation, literally means-submission.

20) Diwan-i-am: Public hall of audience.

21) Diwan-i-khas: Private audience. A place where emperor discussed confidential matters.

22) Naqib: Ushers

23) Khilat: Rank of honour

24) Sarapa: 'Head to foot'a gift from emperor that consisted of a tunic, a turban and a sash.

25) Padma-murassa: Lotus blossom set with jewels. It was a gift given by emperor only in exceptional circumstances.

26) Asaf Khan: Title given by emperor to one of the highest ministers to mark his ascent in court hierarchy.

27) Harem: It originated from the Persian word haram, meaning sacred place. The term used to refer to the domestic world of the Mughals.

28) Aghacha: Concubines

29) Khwaja sara: Slave eunuchs

30) Begums: Women who came from royal and aristocratic families.

31) Zat: Position of government officer in imperial hierarchy, and salary of the official(mansabdar).

32) Sawari: It indicated the number of horsemen the mansabdar was required to maintain.

33) Dag: Imperial mark on horses for identification.

 33) Murid: Disciples.

34) Mir Bakshi: Paymaster general.

35) Diwan-i-ala: Finance minister.

36) Tanat rakab: Nobles stationed at the court.

37) Wajianavis: Court writers.

38) Pathmar: Foot runner

39) Mahr: Cash and valuables received by begum on marriage.

40) Pargana: Sub-districts(administrative unit).

41) Qanungo: Keeper of revenue records in parganas.

42) Chahar taslim: It is a mode of salutation which begins with placing the back of the right hand on the ground and raising it gently till the person stands erect when he puts the palm of his hand upon the crown of his head.

43) Shab-i-barat: It is the full moon night on the 14th Shaban, the eighth month of the hijri calender. It is celebrated with prayers and fireworks.

44) Kashish: It was a form of ceremonial salutation in which the courtier placed the palm of his right hand against his forehead and bent his head.