Farman
Also called: Firman · Topic: The Mughal Empire: Babur to Aurangzeb · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "Bhakti-Sufi Traditions"
Meaning
A farman (also spelt firman) was a written royal order issued by a Mughal emperor. Farmans were used to grant land or rights, give protection, or tell officials what to do. Historians read them closely because they show a ruler's actual policies. A good example is a ruler's attitude towards different religions.
Example
In 1598 Akbar issued a farman telling officials at Khambat (Cambay) in Gujarat to let the Jesuit fathers build a church there. This shows his tolerant policy. By contrast, Aurangzeb's farman of 1669 ordered all governors "to demolish schools and temples of the infidels".
Don't confuse with
- Fatwa: a ruling on Islamic law given by a religious scholar. A farman is an order from the emperor himself.
Related concepts
- Aurangzeb
- Mughal war of succession 1657-58
- Dara Shikoh
- Fatawa-i-Alamgiri
- Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
- Bibi Ka Maqbara