Mughals & Holi: 10 Shocking Royal Celebrations You Never Knew Existed!

In India, Holi, the festival of colors, has a long and rich cultural history. Although it is frequently linked to Hindu customs, its influence was felt in the Mughal Empire's courts, where it was observed in a variety of ways. The Mughal emperors' syncretic culture permitted them to embrace and take part in a number of Indian holidays, such as Holi. But aside from the well-known examples of emperors like Akbar and Jahangir celebrating Holi, a few lesser-known occasions provide intriguing clues as to how the festival was celebrated during the Mughal era. Ten such historical occurrences that illustrate the blending of cultures in the Mughal courts during Holi are examined here.
Emperor Akbar (1542–1605) is often credited with fostering Hindu-Muslim unity in his empire. One lesser-known aspect of this policy was his active participation in Holi at Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar not only allowed his Rajput queens and courtiers to celebrate Holi but also joined them in the festivities. Historical records suggest that Akbar enjoyed splashing colors with his Hindu courtiers and that Holi was marked by elaborate feasts and musical performances in the royal court.
Jahangir (1569–1627) continued his father’s legacy by encouraging the celebration of Holi in the Mughal court. However, a lesser-known event highlights the involvement of his wife, Empress Nur Jahan, in these festivities. Jahangir's court chronicler, Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri, mentions how Nur Jahan took part in Holi celebrations by organizing grand mehfils (gatherings), where colors were playfully applied to courtiers, and aromatic perfumes were sprinkled along with gulal (colored powder).
Shah Jahan (1592–1666) initially imposed restrictions on Holi celebrations, citing the need for maintaining royal decorum. However, due to pressure from his Rajput allies and noblemen, he later allowed limited celebrations within the harem. A lesser-known event occurred when the emperor himself was humorously drenched in colored water by one of his queens, which reportedly amused him and led to more relaxed festivities within the palace.
Dara Shikoh (1615–1659), the liberal-minded son of Shah Jahan, played a crucial role in bridging Hindu and Muslim cultures. A lesser-documented instance reveals how he organized scholarly discussions on Holi, drawing parallels between Sufi and Bhakti traditions. His Persian translations of Hindu texts reference Holi as a festival symbolizing divine love and unity, which he used to promote harmony between the two communities.
Aurangzeb (1618–1707) is known for his austere policies, yet a little-known event suggests that he once witnessed Holi celebrations in his court before imposing stricter restrictions. Historical accounts reveal that during his early reign, his Rajput generals and Hindu nobles celebrated Holi within their quarters, and Aurangzeb tolerated the festival as long as it did not interfere with his administration. However, he later prohibited large public celebrations in his court.
Bahadur Shah I (1643–1712), the son of Aurangzeb, was relatively more tolerant than his father. A little-known anecdote from his reign mentions how he was once playfully doused in colors by his courtiers during Holi. The emperor, instead of being offended, laughed it off and rewarded the pranksters, indicating that the festival was still observed in the Mughal court despite official restrictions.
Muhammad Shah Rangila (1702–1748) is one of the lesser-known Mughal rulers who openly embraced Indian cultural traditions. Unlike his predecessors, he celebrated Holi with great enthusiasm. An event from his court describes how he organized a Holi festival with musicians, dancers, and courtiers playing with colors. His court was decorated with floral arrangements, and special Holi-themed poetry sessions (mushairas) were held, highlighting the cultural fusion of the time.
The impact of Holi on Persian poetry is one of the lesser-known but equally important facets of the Mughal era. During Holi, a number of Persian poets, including Sa'adullah Khan and Bedil, wrote poetry honoring the festival's themes of love and happiness. These poems, which combined Sufi philosophy with the vibrant exuberance of the festival, frequently portrayed Holi as a metaphor for divine ecstasy.
Although there were occasionally restrictions on public Holi celebrations, it is less well known that Holi flourished in the Mughal harem. Queens and concubines were among the women of the royal household who celebrated Holi with vibrant decorations, flowery scents, and lighthearted antics. According to the chronicles, eunuchs and palace servants were instrumental in planning these celebrations, making sure that Holi continued to be a happy occasion even inside the palace walls.
The opulence of Holi in the royal court declined along with the fall of the Mughal Empire in the late 1700s. Nonetheless, a lesser-known incident from Bahadur Shah Zafar's (1775–1862) rule demonstrates that Holi was still observed in some capacity. He emphasized the festival's longstanding place in Mughal culture by continuing to support poetry with a Holi theme and even taking part in symbolic celebrations despite the waning Mughal rule.

During the Mughal era, Holi was an intriguing fusion of cultural adaptation and interchange. Even though some emperors took part in the celebrations and others placed restrictions on them, the festival continued in the royal court in different forms. These lesser-known occasions demonstrate how, during the Mughal era, Holi served as a symbol of artistic expression and unity in addition to being a religious celebration. The syncretism of the Mughal court allowed Holi to thrive, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to be celebrated in India’s diverse cultural tapestry.