Government of Indiaa
Armour attributed to Akbar
Original Location: North India
Present Location: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai
Date: 1581 CE
Period: Early Modern
Material: Steel
Objects: Armoury and Weapons
Style: Mughal
Credits: Sir Ratan Tata Collection
This is the only known and dated personal armour of Emperor Akbar as supported by an inscription on the collar at the upper end of the rib of this armour. The inscription reads, 'The personal garment of the emperor of lofty fortune, Akbar. Year A. H. 989 = CE 1581." Akbar was known to have a choice of khass or personal arsenal which has been elaborately mentioned in his chronicle yet none of his ‘khass' arms are known except for this particular armour. It is said that Akbar always retained thirty swords as khass and that every day one of them would be sent to his bed chamber. Akbar often gifted a few from this collection and was extremely particular about the quality of the swords. Abul Fazal records that once Akbar tested a plated armour for its strength by making it a target and no impression was made on it.
The quality of the steel, the high water mark and the distinct damascened work indicate that the armour was manufactured with great care. The Ain-i-Akbari mentions that Akbar personally inspected the manufacture of arms and armour. The attention to fine details, the strength and the decoration that is seen on this piece is an evidence of the high level of workmanship in weaponry manufacturing in the Mughal times.
The cuirass was a common armour during the Mughal period and seems to have been more popular than the coat-of-mail. It consists of two pieces, a breastplate and a back plate. The present breast plate is forged in one piece and was probably moulded to the shape of Akbar's torso. The back plate which was attached on hinges is now missing. The high neck collar that intended to protect the throat is not a common feature in Indian armour.
The helmet is a hemispherical bowl with a spike at the apex. Along the lower border are several perforations for sewing the lining strap and leather to which the camail was sewn. The helmet is decorated with very fine and delicate gold damascening along the vertical axis and also on the spike. The two arm guards also have decoration in koftgari along the edges.
The breastplate has a decoration along the sides and on the lower rim. In the centre on either side of the rib are incised verses from the Qu'ran in fine Nastaliq script. Near the collar at the upper end of the rib is another inscription.
Recognizing the ongoing need to position itself for the digital future, Indian Culture is an initiative by the Ministry of Culture. A platform that hosts data of cultural relevance from various repositories and institutions all over India.
App
