Celebrations and their ritual functions during the Gūrkāniyān in India (963-1118 AH)

Celebrations as rituals during the peak of the Gūrkāniyān in India from the time of Akbar to the period of Aurangzeb were of great significance. The ceremonies accompanied by music and joy added a lot of excitement to the celebrations, to the extent that the fame of these magnificent celebrations crossed the borders of the Empire and attracted foreign observers to Agra. The efforts the kings of Gūrkāni to hold these elaborate and costly celebrations, the multiplicity and diversity of the celebrations, and the emphasis on non-religious celebrations and specific local celebrations raise the question of what the functions of these celebrations, both religious and non-religious were and what did motivate the kings of Gūrkāni to organize these celebrations? This research aims to examine and analyze this topic, considering the function of rituals in cultural anthropology and using a descriptive-analytical method based on library resources and artifacts available in museums. The findings indicate that the celebrations of this period, as rituals, played an important role in identity formation and social cohesion around the ruling power, were perceived as symbols of power, glory, and wealth, and contributed to the legitimacy of the kings of Gūrkāni.