Social life in Baburid emperor Jahangir's Period according to European travellers

Babur Shah founded the Baburid State in 1526. During the reign of Humayun, son of Babur, although the Baburs lost India between 1540-1555, then they re-established their sovereignty. The period of Akbar, son of Humayun, has meant the consolidation and steady foundation of Baburid State in political, military, administrative, religious, cultural and social aspects in India. The Jahangir period of Baburid history, main subject of our study, was a period in which the effects of reforms and regulations had realized in Akbar period on the state and society were best seen. Furthermore, the Jahangir period has had a special importance as European travelers flock to India with commercial concerns. In this thesis, the views and notes of these travelers who visited India about the social life of the Jahangir period have been figured out. Besides the works of European travelers such as Thomas Roe, Edward Terry, Francisco Palsaert, William Hawkins, William Finch, Thomas Coryat, John Jourdain, Pietro Della Valle, Joannes De Laet, Fernao Guerreiro, Joseph De Castro, the memoirs such as Jahangirnama, Baburnama and Humayunnama have been also used. The study consists of three main sections except the introduction. In the introduction, the subject, purpose, importance and method of the thesis have been mentioned and the sources used in the study have been given. Then the political events of Baburid State until the death of Jahangir have been specified. The first part of the thesis has been carried out with geography, climate, trade and cities which forms the general structure of Baburid country. In the second part; society of Jahangir period has been tried to understood through the religion, crimes-punishments, conception of the social state, birth, education, marriage, death and dressings. In the last section, informations about ceremonies, festivals, fests and entertainments during the Jahangir period have been given. Durbar, darshan, weighing ceremony, nevruz, animal fighting, hunting, festivals, various games and some other entertainments are some of the topics in the third chapter. As a result of this study, the importance of the journals of European travelers to illuminate the social life of Jahangir period has been examined. In addition, it has been understood that there was a dynamic and multicultural social life in Baburid State. Especially it has been determined that, a Mughal culture emerged with the combination of Turkish, Islamic and Hinduism cultures.