The institution of nobility was the most important component in the administrative setup of the Mughal Empire, and next only to kingship in power and influence. These ruling elite acted as a catalyst of change in culture as well as in politics. This book is the first and most comprehensive study of the Iranian nobility, who constituted the largest and most powerful component of the Mughal ruling class during the reign of Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.

Based on first-hand research into original Persian sources, the book covers important topics like immigration from Iran under Shahjahan and Aurangzeb, the position of Iranians vis-a-vis other racial groups, the stratification of the nobility, family details of some of the prominent Iranians and the Iranian influence on Mughal art and architecture, in addition to giving a general historical account of the period.

There has been growing recognition of Mughal nobles’ central role in administration, society, cultural patronage and even in economic activities. This multidimensional character of the Mughal ruling class has become a fascinating subject of study among scholars. No specific study as yet has been made dealing exclusively with the Irani nobles who constituted the largest and most powerful component of the Mughal ruling class. This book is the first detailed and comprehensive attempt in this direction.