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Diwali, the festival of lights, has always symbolized the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. While it is predominantly associated with Hindu tradition, few know that the festival also held a special place in the imperial courts of the Muslim rulers espacially Mughal Empire. Far from being indifferent to indigenous traditions, many Mughal emperors actively participated in, patronized, and even celebrated Diwali in their palaces a testament to the syncretic spirit that defined India’s cultural and political life during the Mughal era.
Akbar’s Court: A Celebration of Pluralism
Emperor Akbar (r. 1556–1605), one of the most celebrated rulers of the Mughal dynasty, was known for his policy of Sulh-i Kul universal tolerance. His court was a microcosm of India’s pluralistic society, and festivals of various faiths were celebrated with grandeur. Among them, Diwali was a prominent highlight of the imperial calendar.
Contemporary court chronicles and European travellers’ accounts describe how Akbar not only permitted but actively encouraged Diwali festivities within the royal palace. Lamps were lit in abundance, courtyards glowed with rows of diyas, and fireworks illuminated the night sky above the imperial city of Fatehpur Sikri and later Agra. Akbar himself is said to have joined the celebrations, distributing sweets and gifts among his courtiers and subjects, regardless of their religion.
This patronage was not merely ceremonial. Akbar understood the deep cultural significance of such festivals to his subjects. By embracing them, he reinforced a message of unity that the Mughal state was not an external force but an integral part of India’s civilizational fabric.
Jahangir and Shah Jahan: Continuity of Tradition
Akbar’s successors continued this legacy. Emperor Jahangir (r. 1605–1627) maintained the tradition of celebrating Diwali in the royal household. The memoirs of his reign, the Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, mention that lamps were lit across the Red Fort and imperial gardens, and courtiers exchanged gifts and sweets on the occasion.
Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658), famed for his love of art and architecture, added more grandeur to the festivities. Under his reign, Diwali became an occasion for elaborate palace decorations, musical performances, and poetry recitations. The Mughal court during Diwali was a spectacle of light, color, and cultural exchange, reflecting the empire’s composite identity.
Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707), often portrayed as more orthodox, is frequently cited as having curtailed non-Islamic celebrations. Yet even during his reign, Diwali did not disappear from the Mughal landscape. Historical evidence suggests that the lighting of lamps and exchange of gifts continued, particularly in the households of Hindu courtiers and regional governors. In many instances, he even extended khil‘ats (robes of honor) and ina‘ams (gifts) to Hindu nobles on Diwali as part of royal protocol.
Diwali Beyond the Palace Walls
The Mughal embrace of Diwali was not confined to the court. Imperial patronage often translated into large-scale public celebrations in cities like Delhi, Agra, Lahore, and Lucknow. Markets thrived with special Diwali bazaars, artisans crafted clay lamps and decorative goods, and temples and public spaces shimmered with lights. The economic activity associated with Diwali from trade to crafts received a boost, benefiting people across classes and communities.
Moreover, the Mughals’ acceptance of Diwali helped blur the boundaries between religious and cultural practices. Muslim poets composed verses on the festival, miniature paintings depicted scenes of Diwali celebrations, and Sufi shrines were often illuminated on the occasion, symbolizing a shared cultural ethos.
The celebration of Diwali under the Mughals offers a striking example of how India’s diverse traditions coexisted and enriched one another. The imperial participation in a Hindu festival was not an act of mere tolerance but a conscious effort to weave the empire into the cultural and emotional life of its people.
Today, as Diwali continues to be celebrated by millions across India and beyond, remembering its place in the Mughal court reminds us of a crucial lesson from history that diversity is not a threat but a source of strength. The lamps that once lit the halls of Akbar’s palace were more than decorations; they were symbols of a shared destiny, a collective joy, and a vision of India that transcends religious divides.