Emissaries from Persia, Balkh, Kashghar, Rome, Yemen, Ethiopia, Muscat, Makkah, England, Holland and Portugal used to come to the Mughal court. On the succession of a new emperor they brought letters of congratulations as well as of condolence on the death of the previous king. Through this exchange of emissaries, political and commercial problems were also resolved and friendly relations were maintained.

At the arrival of an emissary, great care was taken. From the time they entered the empire, provincial governors and government officials provided them with all kinds of facilities. When the party arrived near the court, high government officials and nobles were sent out to receive them. Bazaars and markets were decorated in their honour. On their first appearance the court, too, was specially decorated.

The ambassador was provided accommodation at the house of a prominent noble, who looked after him. They were treated as state guests and their expenses were paid by the state.

Before his appearance in the court the ambassador was instructed by the master of ceremonies (Mir Tuzuk) about how to behave in front of the emperor. Sometimes these instructions were accepted, sometimes not. The ambassador’s arrival at the court was announced and a place was reserved for him according to his status. Shah Tahmasp’s ambassador performed Kornish at the court of Akbar, “He presented with the two hands of respect and laid upon the edge of the throne a letter.”

The letter from an ambassador was taken by some noble and, after opening it, presented to the emperor. After having read the letter, the emperor received the presents brought by the ambassador. Sometimes the king asked questions about his king, about his journey, and said a few words in appreciation of his gifts. If the letter was taken by the emperor personally it was regarded as a great honour.

At the time of his first and his last appearance at the court, an emissary was given the robe of honour (Khilat), horses and elephants as well as cash. Besides this, he was awarded valuable gifts from time to time. During his stay he was invited by nobles for entertainment. He could not leave the court without royal permission or keep a distance; therefore, sometimes the emperor was requested by a foreign ruler to give his ambassador permission to leave the court early.

Mughal rulers regarded the Persian court as equal to theirs. Therefore, Persian ambassadors were allowed to bow according to their etiquette. After the deterioration of diplomatic relations with Persia (under Jahangir, Shahjahan and Alamgir) their privileges were transferred to Osmanli ambassadors, while envoys from Bukhara, Samarqand, and Kashghar were neglected.

Ambassadors from big countries asserted the superiority of their masters, making some remarks or reciting some verses. These were promptly replied to by courtiers and court poets. Such incidents sometimes created a lively atmosphere at the court and sometimes led to bitterness.

Sir Thomas Roe gives a vivid description of the Persian emissary who came to the court of Jahangir in 1615: “He made at the first rayle (railing) three Taslims and some sizeds (sijda)... at the entrance in the like; and so presented the Shah Jahangir his letter; which the King took with a little motion of body, asking only: How does my brother?”

Jahangir gave to the Persian ambassador a robe of honour and the ambassador made taslim. He had brought with him Persian and Arabian horses, mules loaded with Persian hangings, muskets, clocks, carpets, rubies, Persian wine, distilled sweet water, daggers and swords inlaid with precious stones and Venetian looking glasses.

A feast was given in his honour and Rs20,000 were given for his expenses. Besides these, Jahangir bestowed a horse with a jewelled saddle, jewelled sword, a vest without sleeves with gold embroidery, an aigrette with feathers and a turban ornament (jigha), and Rs40,000 in cash.

On the arrival of the emissary from Shah Abbas (1661) to the court of Alamgir, Muhammad Amin Khan was sent with one thousand soldiers to receive the ambassador. All bazaars and streets were decorated and music was played. On his appearance he made obeisance in the Persian manner, while officers of the court forced him to bow in Mughal style.He handed over the letter which was read out in a loud voice. He was awarded a robe of honour (khilat) by the emperor, and then the gifts were presented before the emperor, which consisted of horses, camels, rosewater and carpets.The ambassadors brought rare items from their countries to the Mughal court. For instance, the Uzbek ambassador once brought pigeons and pigeon fancier (Kabutarbaz) for Akbar. Qasim Khwaja of Dihbid sent Jahangir five white falcons, while the Uzbek ambassador once presented him nine hunting dogs. The emissary from the Sharif of Makkah brought with him curtains from the door of Kaba.

Though the European ambassadors also visited the Mughal court, contemporary historians did not mention them. They were insignificant to the Mughal emperors.