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Shahjahan, after his succession, abolished sajda. Instead, he introduced chahar taslim (four salutations) — the person while standing on his feet bowed double, touched his forehead with the palm of his hand and then lowered his hand so that the back of it touched the ground; this was done four times).
Ulema were exempted from chahar taslim, and could greet the emperor as a Muslim greets another Muslim — on their feet. In the tenth year of his reign, Shahjahan abolished the placing of the hand on the ground, which was like a sajda by proxy. Alamgir, on his succession to the throne, abolished chahar taslim, and nobles were required to greet him as a Muslim with the words “peace be upon you.”
On bestowal of a mansab (rank), gift, title, jagir (fief), promotion in rank, robe of honour and an elephant, the recipient performed three taslim. On receiving gifts from the emperor, such as the royal portrait, a bracelet or string of pearls, he put it on his head, then touched round his throat, ear or neck and performed chahar taslim... On the award of a robe of honour chahar taslim were performed. It was a custom to put on the robe of honour immediately after receiving it and appear in the court, here again four taslim were performed, and after that the sash was put over the shoulders.
In the case of an ordinary robe, the recipient was allowed to perform only four taslim. On bestowing arms, the sword was suspended round the recipient's neck, daggers (khanjar and jamdhar) were put in his hands, the quiver was thrown behind his back; after performing four taslim he put the sword in his scabbard, bowed and again performed four taslim.
The place of princes and nobles was reserved at a certain distance from the throne. The eldest prince stood four yards from the throne; the second prince stood at a distance of one and a half to six yards. Young princes were given a place nearer to the throne. The places of courtiers were at a distance of three to fifteen yards from the throne; when sitting, this had to be from five to twenty yards. Senior and respected nobles were given places at a distance of three and a half yards, while others stood from ten to twenty and a half yards.
Seats were reserved according to the status of the courtiers, who stood to the right and left of the throne forming two wings. The place before the throne remained open. Generally one wing consisted of nobles and government officials and the other of ulema and religious persons. On the appearance of the king, all courtiers performed kornish and taslim and stood with folded hands indicating their readiness for the service of the emperor. Poets, artists, musicians, singers, wrestlers and other entertainers remained present to display their skill at the command of the emperor.
Courtiers were not allowed to talk to each other, or speak loudly. Profound silence was the decorum of the court. Nobody was allowed to move from his place without permission. Violation of these rules invited the wrath of the emperor. When the emperor took notice of somebody and wanted to show his favour, he just bent his eye-brows or in some cases gave a side glance. On arrival or departure, a favourite noble was allowed to come near the throne and kiss the feet of the king, who, to show his favour, put his hand on the man's back.
When a new person came to the court, he was first instructed by the master of ceremonies (mir tuzuk) on how to behave before the king, and to perform taslim. On his entry he was thoroughly searched, then guided by court officials and announced before the emperor. After performing taslim or kornish, he addressed the king in a low tone and presented his gifts. If the emperor wanted to give him a favour, his presents were taken personally and a few words were said to him, otherwise he was unceremoniously dismissed.
If the emperor was angry with a noble, he was asked not to come to the court for certain days as a punishment, because permission to attend the court was regarded as a privilege for selected persons. The discredited noble would then try to win the king's favour through some nobles. Permission to come to the court was a symbol of forgiveness on the part of the emperor.
Courtiers were supposed to attend the court in a proper manner. If somebody came drunk, he was punished irrespective of his status. Once Lashkar Khan came to Akbar's court in a state of intoxication, and in punishment he was sent to prison. During the time of Jahangir this rule was strictly observed; “the porters smell his breath”, writes Thomas Roe, “and if he has but tasted wyne, is not suffered to go in”.
Courtiers were also expected to come to the court in proper dress. Once Marhamat Khan came to Alamgir's court in improper dress; it was noticed by the emperor and a letter was sent to him as a warning. To wear a turban and to leave the shoes at the entrance were court etiquette. It was an oriental tradition to appear before a superior wearing the turban and without shoes. Nobody was allowed into the court after the emperor sat on the throne until he rose. Courtiers were not allowed to come with arms, in palki (palanquin) to the red wall (ulalbar) of the emperor, wearing red dress, nim astin (half sleeves) or shoulders wrapped in shawls.
During Akbar's rule a custom was introduced that whoever wanted to submit a petition must bring a gift for the king, irrespective of its value. Nobles and those in the service of the emperor started to present a pishkash at the time of their first introduction and continued it as long as they remained in service. Persons of distinction, on their first appearance at court, presented valuable gifts to win the favour of the emperor.
