After Mirza Kamran's submission, his followers brought Qaraja Khan before Emperor Humayun, leading him with a sword round his neck. When he reached the torch (burning in the court) the emperor ordered that the sword be removed from his neck. Bairam Khan, after his submission (1560), appeared before Akbar with tied hands and a sword hanging around his neck. The young emperor untied his hands personally.

Prince Khusru was presented before Jahangir with tied hands and a chain on his left leg, which was said to be Chingizi tradition. Special courts were held when important prisoners were presented; for instance, Akbar held a special court when Sambhaji, the Marhattan leader, appeared before him.

The imperial throne in the court was regarded as sacred and nobody was allowed to approach it without permission. Once Prince Azam Shah asked something of Alamgir and when he did not receive a reply he advanced in anger until his foot touched the emperor's throne. Alamgir was so annoyed that he left the court.

The favourite nobles were allowed to stand near the throne; a miniature depicts that Mahabat Khan and Asaf Khan stood in the court of Shahjahan on his left and right sides. Jahangir was the first ruler who allowed Shahjahan to sit on a chair near the throne. “This was a special favour for my son, as it had never been the custom hitherto”. Later on Shahjahan permitted Dara Shikoh to sit on a golden chair near the throne.

To allow somebody to come into the jharoka (balcony) and near the throne was a special favour. Prince Khurram, on his return after securing the submission of Mewar and the Deccan Sultanates, was given this honour; Jahangir allowed him to come near the throne, rose himself from the throne and embraced him.

In the court, the emperor maintained full dignity and decorum and never showed any weakness before his courtiers. Once, during the reception of an ambassador, Babar felt an unbearable pain in his leg but he remained seated, unmoved and did not give any indication of pain. Alamgir once dislocated his knee and could not walk properly. On his appearance in the court a curtain was hung in front of the throne and was removed when he had taken his place.

At the end of the court proceeding, a screen was dropped in front of the emperor which signified that the court was over. He then retired to the harem by the back door.

People were allowed to come to the public court and present their complaints before the emperor. Humayun set up a tradition that the keeper of the wardrobe should bring dresses of honour and keep them ready at court. Cash money also remained at the disposal of the king. The same practice was followed by other rulers.

Mughul emperors were keen to have the best, costliest and most valuable things in their possession. Therefore, merchants from Iraq, Khurasan, Rome, Syria, China and Europe came to their court and brought diamonds, jewels, pearls, and other rare items from their countries. They were received with honour and were paid a high price for their commodities.

Princes, provincial governors, high officials of the state, rajas, foreign rulers, and high nobles kept their representatives (vakil) at the court. They attended the court regularly and recorded every event which happened there. Their record was called the news of the court (Akhbarat-i-Darbar-i-Mualla), through which they kept their masters well informed. They represented their master in their absence and defended their interests. When a prince or noble was out of favour, his vakil, too, was affected. Isa Khan who was the vakil of Prince Aurangzeb was imprisoned by Dara Shikoh.

Proceedings of the court were recorded by the Waqia-Nawis (recorder). Besides the proceedings of the court they were required to know each and every movement of the emperor — when he ate, drank, slept and rose and the etiquette of the court. All conversations between the king and courtiers were written down. Monserrate was surprised by the speed at which they wrote the proceedings and the conversation. It was a custom to read aloud any application that was presented at the court.