Holi in the Mughal court…
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
The episodes of Holi in Delhi go back to the 11th century. Even before this it is discussed in mythological and literary circles. Persian traveler Alberuni has mentioned Holikotsav in his historical travel memoirs. Malik Mohammad Jayasi writes in his work Padmavat that at that time so much gulal used to fly in the villages that even the fields used to turn red. There is historical evidence that even Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq and Sher Shah Suri used to play Holi.
Historians believe that this was the period when two diametrically opposite cultures were meeting. There was no conflict between them. The ruling class also wants to give a clear message about this to its people. That’s why despite being prohibited, Tughlaq and Suri were ready to paint in the colors of Holi. Later this process became even stronger. This festival got a systematic form during the time of Mughal ruler Akbar. Abul Fazl tells in Ain-e-Akbari that the festival which dissolves color in life was celebrated with pomp during the time of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Preparations for Holi used to start in the palace a month in advance. Gold and silver drums would have been kept at various places. Color is mixed in these on auspicious occasions. These colors were made by sorting out the Tesu trees growing around the palace and measuring them in a special quantity.
British historian Smith writes that Akbar did not accept being the king of his own small community, he wanted to be the king of the subjects. That’s why he started many such traditions going ahead of his time. The Mughal ruler Jahangir refers to this festival as Aab-e-Pashm and Abdul Hameed Lahori as Id-e-Gulabi. In this, rose water was sprinkled on each other.
The Mughal way of playing Holi had become even grander during the time of Shah Jahan. A picture kept in Bankipur library also confirms this. Bahadur Shah Zafar used to come and sit in the window of the Red Fort early in the morning and groups celebrating Holi, making pranks, creating hooliganism would come out in groups. The emperor used to reward everyone by being pleased. It is famous about Zafar that his ministers used to go to paint him on Holi. In the 18th century, two painters Nidha Mal and Chitraman made paintings of Zafar’s grandson Mohammad Shah Rangila playing Holi.
Litterateur Maheshwar Dayal writes in his book ‘Alam Mein Intkhaab-Delhi’ that offering mustard flowers to the Gods and Goddesses on the arrival of spring before Holi has been an old tradition in Delhi. Two weeks before the Rasiya festival of Holi, Dhak and Tesu flowers were put in pots filled with water and offered on the stove, so that saffron color could be prepared. Holi’s drunkards, Mast Kalandar used to roam from street to street. Carrying sarangi, dafli, chang, nafiri, mridang, dhamadhmi, tambura, munchchang, dholak, rabab, tabla, ghungroo instruments, they came out in groups and chanted – Tere Bhole ne li li bhang, kaun jatan holi khele.
Historical Reference from Alberuni
The historical evidence of Holi in Delhi starts from the time of Alberuni. Amir Khusro and Malik Mohammad Jayasi also talk about Holi. By the time the Mughal period came, the rulers gave a form to Holi. Apart from historical and literary books, Holi also started appearing in the paintings of that time. It had become more grand during the Mughal period. One day the court used to become common for the public as well. Everyone used to enter the Mughal court. The emperor also lived among the people. The horiyas of Bahadur Shah Zafar were sung with great enthusiasm. He also used to go to the mango orchard between the Red Fort and the Yamuna river and play Holi with the people. Holi was celebrated in British India, but not in the manner of the Mughals. Like the nature of the British Raj, the British used to enjoy this festival, but they did not include it in their culture. The British and their families also used to visit the houses of some Kothi people to watch the festival of Holi. At that time, Phag used to be organized on this occasion.
-Kumud Sharma, Head of Department of Hindi, DU
bright colors
The bright and pungent colors of Mughalia Holi used to be there at that time, even today their enthusiasm has not decreased. Even today, cannabis chaat, its grinders and sellers are found here. Gujiya with hemp is also available. Once upon a time, Gopal Prasad used to organize comic poet conferences. The streets of Hindus and Muslims in Chandni Chowk are of course separate, but they meet each other on the occasion of Holi. Here, instead of sweets, roasted gram and wheat earrings are distributed. Everyone has a sense of fun in Holi. The Chandukhanas of Old Delhi’s Sitaram Bazar are famous even today, here people can be found speculating after eating colored cannabis.
– Rajneesh Raj, Historian