The Grand Royal March of Aurangzeb to Kashmir 1662

Source: Mogul India, or Storia do Mogor, by Niccolao Manucci  (c.1652-1680)

In the year 1662, the grand royal march of Aurangzeb to Kashmir commenced at three o'clock in the morning on the seventh day from Delhi. The procession unfolded in a meticulously planned order, showcasing the magnificence and grandeur of the Mogul court.

1. Introduction: The Grand Royal March of Aurangzeb to Kashmir

The march commenced with heavy artillery, leading the way as an avenue for the subsequent camps. Accompanying the artillery was an exquisite boat on a large car, ready to ferry the king across any rivers encountered. The baggage followed closely behind. As morning broke, the camp was cleared, with only the cavalry and infantry remaining in their designated positions.

2. The Commencement of the March and Meticulous Planning

The procession was accompanied by an impressive array of transport. Two hundred camels were laden with silver rupees, each carrying a weight of four hundred and eighty pounds. Another hundred camels carried gold coins of the same weight. One hundred and fifty camels were tasked with transporting hunting nets used to hunt tigers. The royal office of record, a vital component of the court, required eighty camels, thirty elephants, and twenty carts laden with registers and papers of account.

3. The Impressive Array of Transport

The procession also included fifty camels carrying water, each with two metal vessels for the king's use. The princes of the blood royal followed suit, marching similarly according to their ranks. Accompanying the king were eight mules carrying small tents for rest, meals, and other necessities, along with mules carrying clothes and essences of fragrant flowers.

4. The Royal Kitchen and Preparations

The royal kitchen, an integral part of the court's preparations, started its journey at ten o'clock the night before. Fifty camels loaded with supplies and fifty well-fed cows to provide milk accompanied the kitchen. Additionally, dainties prepared by various cooks were sent, each cook responsible for one dish. An official oversaw this department, ensuring that the dishes were sealed in bags of luxurious Malacca velvet. Two hundred qullies carried baskets of chinaware and other articles.

5. Special Arms and Jewels for Generals and Captains

The procession also included thirty elephants loaded with special arms and jewels to be distributed among the generals and captains. These arms were adorned with precious stones and crafted with enamel and gold, including swords, shields, various daggers, and plumes. Additionally, there were items to be given to ladies, such as breast jewels and armlets mounted with pearls and diamonds.

6. The Role of Laborers and Positioning of Tents

Close to the baggage, one thousand laborers armed with axes, mattocks, spades, and pick-axes marched to clear any obstacles along the way. Their commanders rode on horseback, carrying silver axes or mattocks as their badges of office. On reaching the designated halting place, the tents were erected, and the heavy artillery was positioned. The light artillery, consisting of one hundred field pieces, surrounded the royal tents upon their arrival.

7. Aurangzeb Begins His Journey on the Dutch-Presented Throne

At six o'clock, Aurangzeb, seated on the throne presented by the Dutch, began his journey. The throne was carried by twelve men, accompanied by three palanquins of different shapes and five elephants with litters for the king's convenience. As the king emerged from his tents, the light artillery commenced its march from its previous position, consisting of one hundred field pieces, each drawn by two horses.

8. The King's March and Specific Order

The king's march followed a specific order. Sounding all war-like instruments of music, the son of the deceased Shekh Mir led the way with eight thousand cavaliers. The right wing, commanded by Assenalican (Hasan 'Alt Khan), consisted of eight thousand horsemen, while the left wing, commanded by Muhammad Amin Khan, had an equal number. Mounted huntsmen, each with a bird of prey (hawk) on their wrists, followed closely.

9. Men on Foot and Officials Accompanying the King

Nine elephants bearing showy flags preceded the king, followed by four others carrying green standards depicting a sun. Nine adorned horses of state were next in line, ready saddled, and equipped. Two horsemen, one carrying a standard with Arabic letters and the other with a kettledrum, signaled the king's approach.

10. Measuring Progress and Keeping Track of Time

Men on foot advanced on either side of the king, displaying scarlet and green pennants. Others carried staves to drive away anyone who approached too closely. Horsemen with silver staves maintained order, while some men on foot carried perfumes and continuously watered the road. An official provided descriptions of the provinces, lands, and villages the king passed through, ready to answer any questions regarding the territory.

11. Rope bearers measured the distance traveled, marking the ground as they progressed, with each mark signifying a league. A scorekeeper tallied the counts, and another man kept time with an hourglass, announcing the number of hours passed with a mallet on a bronze platter.

The king's progress was accompanied by a sense of dignity and delicacy. A camel carrying a white cloth preceded the procession, used to cover any deceased animals or humans encountered on the road. Stones were placed on the cloth's corners to prevent it from being blown away by the wind. When passing, the king would stop and inquire about the situation.

12. Dignity and Delicacy in the King's Progress

After the king, Sultan Mu'azzam and Sultan A'zam, the prince's companions, rode on horseback. Ten horsemen followed, carrying the royal weapons enclosed in cloth-of-gold bags. The captain of the guard and his troops were next in line, preceding the three royal palanquins and other palanquins for the princes. Twenty-four horsemen, accompanied by pipes, trumpets, and kettledrums, followed the palanquins.

13. The Royal Palanquins and Musicians

The procession included five royal elephants bearing litter, each signifying different aspects of the king's faith and authority. Three elephants carried various symbols, including hands, a plate with Arabic inscriptions, and scales. Two other elephants represented the lordship over rivers and seas, one with a crocodile's head and the other with a fish-like body.

14. Symbolic Elephants Signifying Faith and Authority

The procession continued with numerous palanquins covered in gold-threaded settings, carrying the chosen ladies. Sixty elephants with covered litters transported the remaining women of the royal entourage. Following them were three queens, Aurangzeb's wives, and other ladies of the harem, each with their specialized retinues.

15. Palanquins and Litters for the Chosen Ladies

Ahead of the entire procession, the Grand Master of the Royal Household and other engineers scouted suitable sites for the royal tents to be unloaded, always selecting pleasant locations. The camp was meticulously divided to avoid confusion upon the army's arrival. The royal enclosure was established first, occupying a circumference of five hundred paces. Behind it was the gateway where the women resided, a place of high respect.

16. The Arrangement of Tents and the Royal

Tents for the princes, generals, and nobles were strategically positioned, ensuring a wide space between them and the royal tents. The central space was enclosed by scarlet cloths, acting as three-arm-length high walls. Field pieces were placed around the enclosing screens, with a ditch in front and wooden palisades resembling Venetian chairs behind. Two tents, each housing nine horses, were located near the gateway, and a large raised tent served as a gathering place for drummers and musicians.

17. The Special Royal Tents and Their Significance

The special royal tents, adorned with gilt knobs on small ornamented masts, were reserved for the king's audience. Only individuals of the blood royal were allowed to use these knobs. A lantern was placed atop a high mast to guide late arrivals.

18. The Procession of Nobles and Princes

The tents of the rajahs and nobles, although grand, were not allowed to exceed the height of the king's tents to avoid damage. When the king emerged from his tent to commence the march, the princes, nobles, and generals surrounded him, presenting their requests, to which he offered brief answers. Accompanied by huntsmen, the king decided whether or not to go hunting. If he chose to do so, he would leave the army, followed only by the men on foot and his guard.

19. Arrival and Congratulatory Wishes

As the rest of the procession continued its march at a slower pace, the huntsmen assumed their designated positions if the king did not wish to hunt. Upon sighting the advance tents, the musicians resumed playing until the king passed through the gateway. The small artillery was discharged, and the queens and ladies congratulated the king on his arrival, offering joyful wishes for a prosperous journey.

20. Princess Roshan Ara Begum's Mysterious Journey

It is worth noting that although the princesses and ladies started last, they always arrived first, having taken a shorter route. Typically, the women set off after the baggage and swiftly made their way. It came to my knowledge that during this journey, Princess Roshan Ara Begam did not have her maid-servant in her litter, but instead, a youth dressed as a maidservant took her place. The true intentions of this substitution, along with their indulgence in wine, remain a mystery. This account was relayed to me by a friend, a wine-loving eunuch, and later confirmed by several ladies of the princess's suite after her demise.