The weighing ceremony of Mughal emperors was celebrated twice a year — on their solar and lunar birthdays. It was referred to as Majlis-i-Wazn or Tuldan. On this occasion the emperor was weighed against valuable commodities and foodstuff, which were distributed among the poor throughout the year. During Jahangir’s reign this wealth was also spent on public works such as the construction of roads and bridges.

Preparation for the weighing ceremony started two months in advance: the court and the palace were decorated and colourful tents were erected. Precious stones, diamonds, jewels, and thrones were displayed in the great hall. People, throughout the town, celebrated the occasion with festivities, music, dancing and fireworks. The best dancing women and singers remained at the court ready to perform.

Nobles and royal ladies presented gifts consisting of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, expensive carpets, elephants and horses. The emperor awarded titles to his nobles and bestowed fiefs (jagirs) and other gifts in recognition of their services. The weighing ceremony was held regularly whether the emperor was in the capital or was travelling at that time. Once, Shahjahan celebrated his weighing on the lake of Mandal and on another occasion on the bank of Narbada.

On his solar birthday the emperor was weighted against twelve articles: gold, quick silver, silk, perfume, copper, mercury (ruh-i-tutiya), drugs, clarified butter (ghee), rice-milk, seven kinds of grains and salt. Besides these (according to the number of years of the emperor’s age), sheep, goats and fowls were distributed among the poor. A number of animals were set free on this occasion. On his lunar birthday the emperor was weighed against eight articles: silver, cloth, lead, tin, fruits, sweetmeats, vegetables and mustard oil.

The balance in which the emperor was weighed was made of gold. The weighing time was fixed by astrologers and at the time of his sitting in the scales both sides of the scales were held by elderly men who recited prayers for him. After that the weight was registered, if it was more than the previous year, all the courtiers present expressed great joy. At the time of the ceremony, physicians checked him and kept an account of his health.

It appears that during Jahangir’s time articles for his weighing were sent by royal ladies. Usually his weighing ceremony took place at his mother’s palace; a string was kept in the harem to which a knot was added every year to mark the emperor’s age. After the ceremony he sat on the throne and gold and silver were distributed among the courtiers. Newly coined silver was also distributed among the common people. At midnight, a wine party was held to which nobles were invited. English ambassador Thomas Roe participated in such a party but the wine was so strong that he could not drink it.

On this occasion, richly clad and well equipped royal elephants were paraded before the emperor. “They all bowed before the King,” writes Roe, “making reverence very handsomely, and was shown as worthy as I ever saw any beast.” They emperor used to give a grand feast to which all dignitaries were invited. The festivities lasted for five days.

Princes were also weighted once a year, on their solar birthday. The first weighing ceremony was held at the age of twelve when they were weighed against one article, then every year one more article was added until the number reached twelve. No one was allowed to be weighed against more than twelve articles. When the king, princes or princesses recovered from an illness the occasion was celebrated with festivities. A grand feast was held which was attended by nobles, and alms and charity were distributed generously among the poor. When prince Salim (Jahangir) recovered from pimples and princess Jahanara (Shahjahan’s favourite daughter) from serious burns their jashn-i-sehat were celebrated in a befitting manner. Shahjahan, who had a deep love and affection for Jahanara, gave diamonds and precious stones to the deserving people, and awarded robes of honour (khilat) to the royal ladies, princes, and nobles. Throughout the nine days of the jashn, the royal palace and both the banks of the river were illuminated.

Physicians were especially awarded on this occasion. Arif, a royal servant, whose ointment cured Jahanara, was weighed against rupees and awarded a robe of honour, horses and elephants. When an emperor recovered from an illness, nobles, princes and princesses presented gifts to the emperor; for instance Jahanara once presented a golden throne to Shahjahan. A water festival was held in spring. On this occasion, princes and nobles presented jewelled and ornate water-bottles, jugs and jars filled with water and rosewater to the king. The festival was celebrated by sprinkling rose water on each other. Jahangir called the festival Gulab-pashi instead of Ab-pashi. Besides other gifts, the emperor gave flasks filled with rosewater and perfumes to his nobles.

During full moon, Jashn-i-Mahtabi was observed in front of the Diwan-i-Aam (hall of public audience). White was the dominant colour on this occasion — white velvet was spread on white carpets, white curtains of muslin were hung, candles were lighted on white glasses and the emperor and all his courtiers dressed in white clothes with white ornaments. The festivities lasted till morning.