Bachelor thesis | South and Southeast Asian Studies (BA)
open access
This thesis focuses on the nascent buta pattern, as woven into Kashmir shawls from the 1680s until the end of the 17th century. It argues that Shah Jahan’s flowering plant motif played a crucial...Show moreThis thesis focuses on the nascent buta pattern, as woven into Kashmir shawls from the 1680s until the end of the 17th century. It argues that Shah Jahan’s flowering plant motif played a crucial role in the development of the nascent buta pattern. Consequently, this thesis argues that the development of the nascent buta may have been shaped as much by contemporary Iranian and European stylistic influences—as is often argued—as by the Mughals' own Islamic and Central Asian heritage. This thesis also makes an iconological contribution. Following the aesthetic development of the shawls—still plain, under Akbar—I aim to investigate how each Mughal emperor articulated his quest for royal identity. In this context, I study this royal pattern—and its success—as a symbol of the Mughal garden, which is an expression of the Qur'anic al-janna (the Paradise Garden), as well as of the Timurid garden. Additionally, my purpose is to highlight how Kashmir shawls, and the nascent buta pattern, came to be considered extremely valuable and sophisticated items, by focusing on Islamic gift-giving practices.Show less
The personality of Akbar has caught the fascination of historians and poets. The legend of his openness and tolerance towards the other religions of the Indian subcontinent has been both lauded and...Show moreThe personality of Akbar has caught the fascination of historians and poets. The legend of his openness and tolerance towards the other religions of the Indian subcontinent has been both lauded and disputed. Whereas most historians saw his progressive policies of tolerance as a form of Enlightenment in the East, others have reduced the Emperor's tolerance to nothing more than a thought through political strategy which only served the material interests of the Mughal state. This paper will evaluate these differing views on Akbar and the role religion played in his reign, in order to see that both personal and political interests were served in Akbar's career.Show less
Here I shall analyze Shah Jahan’s imperial narrative on the basis of these two sources: Padshahnama and the Taj Mahal. I have chosen to do so for a number of reasons. Firstly both of these were...Show moreHere I shall analyze Shah Jahan’s imperial narrative on the basis of these two sources: Padshahnama and the Taj Mahal. I have chosen to do so for a number of reasons. Firstly both of these were expressions of the imperial narrative which were closely monitored by Shah Jahan. They were as personal a source we have from the reserved emperor. Secondly the two contrast nicely with each other. As an official chronicle the Padshahnama was expected to be used as a propaganda piece. This meant that the impact of it as an expression of the imperial narrative could be limited. The Taj on the other hand was a tomb, a controversial building in both Islamic and Indian tradition as we shall see below. By making this into an expression of the imperial narrative Shah Jahan showed that nothing was beyond its grasp and by extension his own. Thus the impact of the Taj could be much greater.Show less
