|
 In the Mughal period, the Indian natural history saw the patronage of the emperors for gardening and art. The Indian natural history in Mughal period also saw the emperors going for excessive hunting of the animals in the forests. Among all the Mughal emperors, Babur (1483 - 1530) and Jahangir (1569 - 1627) have to be mentioned specially, as they made huge contributions in the Indian natural history. The Mughal emperors used to lead a leisurely life and they used to decorate their gardens with their private zoos. They also hired artists to paint many subjects including plants and animals. They used to practice hunting and falconry, quite extensively and they also employed scribes.
The most important thing in the Indian natural history in Mughal period was that, the Mughal emperors were the first one to document their observations of nature in India. Babur wrote some wonderful notes that indicate the former distribution of the Rhinoceros as far west as the Indus. According to the notes of Babur, the Lesser Rhinoceros was found in the Bengal Sunderbuns, and a very few individuals were stated to occur in the forest tract along the Mahanuddy river, and extending northwards towards Midnapore. They were also found on the northern edge of the Rajmahal hills near the Ganges. Apart from that, the Lesser Rhinoceros used to occur more abundantly in Burmah and through the Malayan peninsula to Java and Borneo, as well.
Apart from Babur, Jahangir also made some significant contributions in the Indian natural history in Mughal period, as well. He used to keep detailed records of his hunts and it is found from the records that, he himself hunted about 17,167, from the age of twelve to forty-eight. The hunted animals include Tigers, Lions, Bears, Leopards, Foxes, Otters (ubdilao), Hyaenas, Blue bulls (Nilgai), and also Mhaka. Jahangir's records also have detailed description about some of his memorable hunts. Jahangir appointed Ustad Mansur, as a court artist in the 17th century to make paintings of various animals. Hence, documentation of observations of nature in India is considered to be the most important contributions made by the Mughal emperors in the Indian natural history.
(Last Updated on : 28-08-2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently Updated Articles in History of India
|
|
|
| • | Vijayanagar Empire
Vijayanagar Empire is also known as the Kingdom of Bisnegar. This name was given by the Portuguese. Vijayanagar empire includes the Sangama Dynasty, Saluva Dynasty, Tuluva Dynasty and the Aravidu Dynasty.
| | | • | Anegondi
Anegondi, dramatic location and awesome architure with an out of the ordinary past this little village in Karnataka has
| | | • | Foundation of the Gupta Empire in India
Consolidating the entire northern India, the early Gupta rulers had founded the stronghold of the Gupta Dynasty in India
| | | • | Wali
Walis or Sufi Saints are those who have established a connection with the universal consciousness. They are closely connected to God to the extent that some of them remain cut-off from the real physical world as in the case of the condition of Wilayat Awwal. There are different levels of Wali depending on the extent of love and unity with the Almighty that they feel and exhibit in their behaviour.
| | | • | Village Administration of Rashtrakuta Empire
Village administration of Rashtrakuta Empire was headed by the village headman. Villages were divided for efficient governance.
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
