Page 2 - The Mughal Magazine

The Court under the Mughals

Durbar is a Persian-derived term (fromPersian:??? ???? -darb?r) meaning the kings' or
rulersnoble courtor a formal meeting where the king held all discussions regarding the
state. It was later used inIndiaandNepalfor a ruler'scourtorfeudal levyas the latter came to
be ruled and later administered by foreigners.[citation needed]A durbar may be either a

feudal state council for administering the affairs of aprincely state, or a purely ceremonial
gathering, as in the time of theBritish Empire in India.[1]
The most famous Durbars belonged to Great Emperors and Kings. In the North, cities

likeUdaipur,Jaipur,Jodhpur,Jaiselmer, andAgrahave palaces that adorn such magnificent
halls. TheMughalEmperor Akbarhad two halls; one for his ministers and the other for the
general public. Usually Durbar halls are lavishly decorated with the best possible materials
available at the time. In the former sense, the native rulers ofMughaland colonial India

and some neighbouring Hindu or Muslim monarchies, like theamirofAfghanistan, received
visitors in audience, conferred honours and conducted business in durbar.[2]