Key facts
- Mughal India developed a sophisticated news network using 'akhbarat' (news reports) from the late 16th century.
- These reports, written in Persian, detailed court life, military actions, appointments, and gossip.
- Historian Munis D Faruqui spent two decades analyzing these documents, particularly the Akhbarat-i Darbar-i Mualla.
- Faruqui's research provides new insights into Emperor Aurangzeb's reign and the Mughal empire's administration.
- The akhbarat reveal the significant political influence of the imperial harem and royal women like Zinat-un-Nisa.
While Europe was developing newspapers, Mughal India maintained its own sophisticated information network through 'akhbarat' – brief news reports compiled by scribes, agents, and secretaries from the late 16th century onwards. These documents, written in Persian, covered a wide range of topics including court intrigue, military campaigns, appointments, finances, and gossip, helping to bind the vast empire together.
Historian Munis D Faruqui of the University of California, Berkeley, dedicated nearly two decades to immersing himself in these reports, particularly the Akhbarat-i Darbar-i Mualla collection. His research, focusing on the late 17th century during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb, aims to provide a fresh perspective on both the controversial ruler and the inner workings of the Mughal empire.
Surviving collections of these news reports are found in archives across India and Britain, with the richest cache located in Kolkata's National Library, comprising 21 volumes dedicated to Aurangzeb's rule. Although much of the material appears mundane, detailing appointments and administrative minutiae, Faruqui describes the overall archive as a rare, near-continuous record of the empire observing itself.
Faruqui's study of the akhbarat has led to significant reassessments of historical narratives. He found less evidence of widespread religious conversions attributed to Aurangzeb than previously assumed, and discovered that the imperial harem and eunuchate held more political influence than commonly believed. He also noted fewer hostile references to groups like the Sikhs than expected, challenging long-standing traditions.
One notable discovery was the prominent role of Aurangzeb's daughter, Zinat-un-Nisa, who emerged from the reports as a powerful political actor and a crucial support for her aging father. Faruqui's work highlights the density of the Mughal information ecosystem and suggests the state possessed a remarkably sophisticated grasp of its empire, impacting the lives of millions.