Jashn-e-Chiraghan

In medieval times, Akbar arranged a big bhoj on Diwali and all Agra would be dazzled. Lamps were decorated by the concerned experts in the form of deities like Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Rama.

The Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri mentions Jahangir and his fun-loving queen, Nurjahan, as very spirited when it came to Diwali and other Hindu festivals. Thousands of couples were married by her in that festive month that began with the Navratras. This has been cited by Ellison Bank Findly in the book, Nurjahan: Empress of Mughal India. Sometimes the queen, accompanied by her husband, would go to Raja Man Singh’s palace to witness the fireworks display at Diwali.

The colourful builder-emperor Shahjahan had his own style of celebrating Diwali. His Dawat-e-Chiraghan (Diwali feast) was by far the most impressive and costliest in Mughal history. For the occasion, Shahjahan used to order the sweets a month in advance, from the best halwais of Agra, Mathura, Bhopal, Delhi and Lucknow. Tons of desi ghee used to be arranged from the Delhi villages for this purpose. It is stated that in this jashn he used to dance with joy! About the involvement of Bahadur Shah Zafar in Diwali celebrations, proof is furnished by Hakeem Mam Chand Arora of Chandni Chowk, who claims that the pooja samagri (prayer material) at the durbar was sent by his forefathers. Every year at Diwali, Zafar used to arrange a special Lakshmi Poojan (prayer to respect to Lakshmi) in his Urdu-e-Mualla (Red Fort), which was attended by one and all.

Many Muslim poets have written verses in praise of Diwali, including Nazir Akbarabadi, Hamidullah Afsar Merathi, Basheer Badr, Ghulam Rabbani Taban, Gauhar Raza, Majid Deobandi, Wajid Sehri. May the spirit of cheer and joy prevail this Diwali with the words of Nazir Akbarabadi! Har makan mein phir jala diya Diwali ka/ Har ek taraf ko ujala hua Diwali ka. (Let a lamp be lit in every house/ let all be bright with Diwali.