For the Mughal emperors, food was not just a taste or hobby, but also an important tool of power, culture and diplomacy. He used food diplomacy very well. The banquets given in the Mughal court spoke political language. He not only made friendships through food diplomacy. Used to develop new relationships. Besides, they also decided the status of people.
Food diplomacy of the Mughals took place in many ways. If someone was made to sit close to the king and was served special dishes in gold and silver utensils, it was a sign that he was in power. Overall, Mughal food diplomacy was the precursor to modern “gastro diplomacy”, where food not only filled stomachs but also won hearts and states.
Banquets were their diplomatic platforms
Mughal emperors used to eat their meals by spreading Dastarkhwan on the ground, which was a mixture of Persian-Indian style. Rank and respect were shown in the banquet by seating arrangement, style of serving and quantity of food. High guests had the best food and accommodation.
For the Mughals, royal banquets were diplomatic forums. The hierarchy of power was explained to those attending the feast through food. That is, a kind of protocol was expressed through this. It was decided in advance as to who would sit where and what they would eat. An average royal feast in Akbar’s court consisted of 40–50 types of dishes.
Mughal emperors used to give luxurious banquets to foreign envoys, Rajput chieftains, nobles and representatives of neighboring states. These feasts demonstrated wealth, power and generosity. Multi-course meals, exotic spices, meats and fruits were served at feasts. Through this a different kind of relationships were formed.
If someone was excluded from the feast, a political message was given to him through this also. The Mughal emperor knew that “The one with whom you eat comes under your circle of power.”
Akbar’s food diplomacy is unique
Akbar used food to break down religious and caste divisions. The Mughal emperors also used banquets and meals to demonstrate their global status to foreign envoys. Persian, Turkish and Central Asian dishes were served at their banquets. Then these dishes started fusing with Indian food. In those mines, there was a mixture of saffron, dry fruits, fragrant rice along with rare spices of that time like cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg. Through this he used to give a clear message that we are not only the kings of India but of the world.
Akbar deliberately included local food in the royal kitchen. The arrival of ghee, pulses and rice in his royal kitchen revealed the Rajput influence while the Jain influence revealed that meat was not often cooked in the kitchen. Persian and Indian influences together laid the foundation of Mughlai cuisine. Akbar often gave special place to Rajput chieftains in royal feasts. It contained both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes to satisfy all Rajput and Mughal tastes.
Meat was completely prohibited in some of Akbar’s feasts. Pure vegetarian dishes were served on special occasions. Through this he signaled cultural and religious respect, which strengthened trust and alliance.
What happened from Jahangir to Aurangzeb
During Jahangir’s time, food diplomacy changed into personal networking. Not everyone was invited to the feast. Royal wine and dishes were available only to special people. At that time, the one who was included in the king’s banquet was considered close to power. Jahangir himself has written that whom he invited to the feast and whom he did not.
Shahjahan used to perform political demonstrations through grand banquet ceremonies. Used to give mega parties. In which there were hundreds of dishes, gold and silver utensils. This was a dazzling event for foreign guests. The message given was that the Mughal Empire was invincible and immensely prosperous. European travelers called these feasts “royal overdoses.” Rajput respect remained but the emotional partnership diminished.
During Aurangzeb’s time, food was considered a symbol of religious and moral boundaries. The court feasts were limited and simple. There was distance from music, alcohol and grand feasts. He himself used to eat simple food in his personal life. Aurangzeb cut down royal expenses. Vegetarian feasts were no longer a political strategy. Because of this, Rajput-Mughal relations started becoming cold.
When food was sent to someone from the royal kitchen
Similarly, the food sent to the people from the emperor’s kitchen was also a display of diplomacy. Sending food from the royal kitchen to a rich person meant that he had special favors from the Mughal emperors. The Mughals sent food as gifts to convey a message of friendship, strength and goodwill, which was part of diplomatic etiquette. During Akbar’s time, food diplomacy worked to strengthen relations with neighboring states and European powers.
The Mughal emperors systematically distributed food from their royal kitchens, which included access to courtiers, soldiers, and the general public. The government kitchen provided food to about 20,000 people every day, which was also a symbol of social harmony. This distribution was done from Agra Fort or Red Fort.
fruits and food gifts
Fruits, especially mangoes, watermelons, grapes and sweet dishes, were given as gifts, which were symbols of friendship, peace or alliance. Fruits were considered part of political protocol. Mango is called “Mango Diplomacy” – Humayun and Jahangir were very fond of mango. Used to take political advantage by gifting it. Babur was happy to receive gifts of fruit, as it reminded him of his Central Asian roots.
Food items were used as political gifts. For example, the Mughals got liquor from Iran and dry fruits and fruits from Kabul. Similarly, saffron from Kashmir. He used to give these to guests or colleagues. This was part of food gift diplomacy.
cultural and political messages
The fusion of many cultures was shown through food – a fusion of Persian, Turkish, Afghan and Indian cuisine. Akbar adopted vegetarian cuisine from the Rajput alliance, which was a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity. Enmity was transformed into friendship through feasts and gifts, such as Shah Hussain Mirza proposing compromise and friendship by sending fruits and sugar to Humayun.
Who liked which treat?
Babur loved feasts of fruits and grilled meats, a nod to his Central Asian roots. Humayun was influenced by Persian feasts while taking refuge in Iran, when he returned to India and assumed the throne, he adopted the same style of feasts. Akbar used food diplomacy the most. Married with Rajputs. Strengthened the empire by hosting feasts with them. Jahangir and Shahjahan took political advantage by giving gifts of mangoes and foreign fruits.
Akbar built his empire through food. Jahangir ran his court with food. Shahjahan showed his empire through food. Aurangzeb set boundaries through food. This is why Akbar’s era is considered the “most stable”. After Aurangzeb, coalition politics weakens.
Both the Mughals and the British did food diplomacy, but if the Mughals drew people into power through food, the British kept people away from power through food. Mughlai food has now become a part of Indian culture.
source
1. Baburnama – Autobiography of Babar
2. Ain-e-Akbari – By Abul Fazal
3. Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri – Book containing memoirs of Jahangir
4. “A History of Mughal Cuisine through Cookbooks” (The Heritage Lab)
5. Food in the Domain of Politics” (Enroute Indian History)
6. “Mughal Conquests and Diplomacy Wrapped in a Love of Mangoes” (Dhaara Magazine) – Historical Examples of Mango Diplomacy.
7. “The History of Mughal Cuisine” (Tastepak.com)
8. Curry: A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors
9.And K.T. Achaya’s books
10. Satish Chandra, Medieval India
11. Ruby Lal, Domesticity and Power in the Early Mughal World
12. François Bernier, Travels in the Mughal Empire
13. Niccolao Manucci, Storia do Mogor
