This Mughal emperor banned killing animals on special days– and no, it wasn't Akbar
Emperor Jahangir, son of Akbar, introduced a
ban on animal slaughter
on certain days of the year. It wasn't for public attention or religious reasons. It was a personal choice, supported by official orders, showing a thoughtful and unexpected side of leadership during the early 1600s.
Jahangir became emperor in 1605, following the rule of his father, Akbar. While Akbar is often praised for promoting religious tolerance and administrative reforms, Jahangir built on that legacy in his own way.
One of his first official orders as emperor was to ban animal slaughter on specific days of the year.
According to a report presented by ibiblio(dot)org, Jahangir mentioned in his memoirs, the
Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri
, that Slaughter was not allowed on Thursdays, on Sundays (to honour Akbar's birthday), and during important Jain festivals. In a thoughtful and unusual decision, Jahangir also introduced a rule that increased the number of non-slaughter days each year, matching his age.
So, if he were 42 years old, then 42 days in that year would be dedicated to protecting animal life.
Jahangir's love for nature went far beyond maintaining royal gardens or keeping exotic animals. He was known for closely observing birds and animals, often writing about them in detail in his personal memoirs. These writings show a genuine interest and affection for the natural world around him.
He built places like Haathi Mahal– a rest house for elephants that had retired from royal service– and even made a proper tomb for his pet deer.
These were not just symbolic acts. They reflected his belief that animals were not just property or tools, but living beings worthy of care, respect, and dignity.
Jahangir's compassion wasn't limited to animals. One of his most well-known reforms was the installation of the Chain of Justice– a gold chain that stretched from Agra Fort to the riverbank. According to an online report by rediff(dot)com, anyone who felt they had been treated unfairly by local officials could pull the chain to ask for the emperor's direct attention.
It served as both a real and symbolic gesture of his commitment to justice.
He also introduced several welfare measures during his rule. These included building public hospitals, making travel routes safer, and banning harsh punishments like cutting off someone's nose or ears.
Some of Jahangir's policies did appeal to more conservative Islamic groups– for example, he removed certain taxes and put restrictions on alcohol.
But at the same time, he was unusually honest about his own life. As per rediff(dot)com, in his memoirs, he openly admitted that he continued drinking alcohol even after banning its sale in public. It was a rare moment of honesty from a ruler who seemed to understand the difference between public policy and personal choice.
His decision to ban animal slaughter also had a practical side. It helped build goodwill with the Jain community, especially in key trade cities where they held social and economic influence.
In this way, Jahangir showed that moral policies could also help maintain social balance.
Jahangir is often overlooked in comparison to the more famous Mughal rulers like Akbar and Shah Jahan. But his rule had its own quiet strength, marked by attention to detail, a sense of empathy, and a balanced way of governing. His steps toward animal welfare may seem small in the larger story of the Mughal Empire, but they offer a deeper look at a ruler who wasn't afraid to mix power with compassion.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Five schools felicitated by district administration on Independence Day
Dhanbad: The district administration felicitated five outstanding schools for their remarkable performance in academics, extracurricular activities, and overall development of students during the I-Day function on Friday. Primary School, Chaldowa (East Tundi) was awarded for excelling in sports, cultural activities, yoga, and low-cost assessment methods. Middle School, Barmasia received special recognition for creating a happy environment through the combined efforts of the headmistress, teachers, and student leaders. The school set a record by scoring 1,490 out of 1,500 in high-cost marking, the highest in the district. Upgraded High School, Borragadh was also felicitated for its exceptional performance despite geographical challenges and limited resources. The school was praised for providing basic facilities and focusing on the all-round development of students under the no-cost, low-cost framework. The CM School of Excellence earned appreciation for its collective efforts by teachers and students in ensuring holistic development through effective no-cost, low-cost practices. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Baliapur was honored for maintaining clean and well-equipped classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and kitchen gardens. Deputy commissioner Aditya Ranjan congratulated all five schools and emphasized that such recognition should inspire other institutions to strive for quality education and student welfare. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Hans India
Gulf Prayer Times: Accurate Timings Across the Gulf Region
The Gulf region, home to countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman, follows a deep-rooted Islamic tradition where prayer is central to daily life. For Muslims, offering five daily prayers (Salah) is not only a religious obligation but also a spiritual anchor throughout the day. Knowing the accurate Gulf prayer times is essential for residents, travelers, and expatriates alike. For daily updated schedules, you can visit Khaleej Weekly and check the prayer time for all major Gulf cities. Importance of Prayer Times in Islam In Islam, prayer (Salah) is performed at specific times determined by the position of the sun. These moments mark spiritual intervals in a Muslim's day, offering a pause for reflection, worship, and connection with Allah. The five obligatory prayers are: 1. Fajr – before sunrise 2. Dhuhr – after the sun reaches its zenith 3. Asr – in the late afternoon 4. Maghrib – just after sunset 5. Isha – at night For those living in the Gulf, these times vary slightly depending on the city and date, making it important to follow a prayer schedule or local Salah timetable. Factors Affecting Gulf Prayer Times Prayer times in the Gulf are influenced by: ● Geographic location – Each city has its own latitude and longitude, affecting sunrise and sunset. ● Time of year – Seasonal changes alter the length of days and nights. ● Calculation methods – Different Islamic organizations (e.g., Umm al-Qura University, Muslim World League) may have slight variations in timing. Country-Wise Prayer Time Variations While the Gulf states share cultural and religious similarities, prayer times can differ by a few minutes from one country or even one city to another. ● UAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi may have a 2–4 minute difference in some prayer times. ● Saudi Arabia: Mecca and Riyadh often differ due to longitude. ● Qatar & Bahrain: Small land areas mean differences are minimal. ● Kuwait: Timings are close to eastern Saudi Arabia. ● Oman: Muscat's prayer times differ slightly from Salalah due to distance. For travelers, checking the Maghrib time in Gulf cities before planning evening activities is especially important. How to Find Accurate Gulf Prayer Times ● Official Islamic Affairs websites in each country. ● Mobile apps such as Muslim Pro, Athan, and IslamicFinder. ● Mosque announcements – local mosques often display daily updated prayer times. ● Trusted online resources like the prayer time page on Khaleej Weekly, which lists UAE Salah times and other Gulf country schedules. Digital Convenience Prayer Times at Your Fingertips In today's fast paced world, many Gulf residents rely on mobile notifications and online calendars to keep track of Salah. With accurate GPS-based apps and reliable online schedules such as the prayer time Dubai page on khaleej weekly, you can ensure you never miss a prayer, whether at home, at work, or traveling. Conclusion Prayer is the heartbeat of daily life in the Gulf, and knowing the exact Gulf prayer times is vital for every practicing Muslim. Whether you follow a Dubai prayer schedule, a printed mosque timetable, or an online UAE Salah times page, staying in tune with Salah timings helps maintain spiritual discipline and a balanced daily routine.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Tragedy near Humayun's Tomb sparks concern for better care of heritage buildings: Expert
Humayun's Tomb in Delhi (L), Neeru Misra, author of The Garden Tomb of Humayun (R) Few monuments embody Delhi's identity as strongly as Humayun's Tomb. Six people, including three women, were killed and five others injured on Friday after the roof and wall of two adjoining rooms at the Dargah Sharif Patte Shah near Humayun's Tomb in Delhi's Nizamuddin collapsed during heavy rain. Initial confusion over the location of the collapse sparked alarm, with many fearing damage to the adjacent Humayun's Tomb, the 16th-century Mughal garden-tomb commissioned by Bega Begum, the first wife of Emperor Humayun. Those fears were unfounded. The confusion over the site of the collapse, however, showed how deeply Humayun's Tomb resonates with the city. The episode highlighted the fragile state of many lesser-known heritage structures in Delhi. Speaking to TOI, author Neeru Misra, who has written The Garden Tomb of Humayun, said the public's immediate anxiety over Humayun's Tomb underlines its symbolic importance. The Garden Tomb of Humayun by Neeru Misra and Tanay Misra 'The robust monument is a landmark and a major symbolic identity of Delhi, and there was an element of disbelief as well. The immediate outpouring of public concern whenever heritage damage is reported shows that heritage sites function as vital anchors of collective identity in contemporary Bharat, transcending their architectural significance to embody the nation's cultural consciousness," Misra said. Humayun's Tomb, often described as a precursor to the Taj Mahal, has historically set the template for Mughal funerary architecture. Funerary architecture refers to the design and construction of structures related to death, burial, and memorialization. This encompasses buildings and monuments such as tombs, mausoleums, crypts, graveyards, and cemeteries that serve rituals surrounding death and the commemoration of the deceased. 'Built under the patronage of Empress Bega Begum and designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, this mausoleum introduced revolutionary architectural innovations that fundamentally transformed Indo-Islamic funerary architecture,' Misra explained, pointing to its charbagh gardens, double dome, and red sandstone-and-marble design as features that culminated in the Taj Mahal. That enduring legacy explains why the tomb continues to fascinate scholars and visitors alike. "Beyond its architectural significance, Humayun's Tomb maintains profound spiritual resonance for contemporary visitors. The monument's design as a representation of Quranic paradise, with its flowing water channels and geometric perfection, creates a contemplative environment that transcends religious boundaries. Visitors consistently report experiencing a sense of connection to history and spiritual reflection, finding solace in its serene gardens and masterful proportions," she said. The tomb underwent extensive conservation between 1997 and 2013, a project Misra says offers important lessons for heritage protection. 'The restoration's foundational philosophy prioritized authentic material compatibility over modern convenience. Craftsmen removed over one million kilograms of 20th-century concrete that had compromised the monument's structural integrity, replacing it with lime-based mortars identical to original 16th-century formulations,' she said, noting how traditional techniques combined with modern technology ensured authenticity. For Misra, Friday's tragedy is a reminder that attention must also extend beyond celebrated monuments to adjoining sites. 'It felt like a loss of the heritage of the present day, something belonging to us, leaving a cavity, and the resultant pain and frustration at the inability to fight the vagaries of nature. It also led to intense concern about appropriate care for our heritage buildings of yesteryear,' she said.
