Question

Who among the following was the French explorer who visited the court of emperor Shah Jahan and left a detailed account of Takht-i-Taus (Peacock Throne)?
1. Jean Baptiste Tavernier
2. Geronimo Verroneo
3. Pierre-Jean
4. Jean-Paul Dubois

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Jean Baptiste Tavernier

The correct answer is Jean Baptiste Tavernier.

• The Peacock Throne was a famous jewelled throne that was the seat of the Mughal emperors in India.
• The throne was not initially given the name by which it became known. It was simply known as the "Jeweled Throne" or "Ornamented Throne" (Takht-Murassa).
• It received its name from later historians because of the peacock statues featured on it (Takht-i-Taus).
• It was commissioned in the early 17th century by emperor Shah Jahan and was located in the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audiences, or Ministers' Room) in the Red Fort of Delhi.
• During the invasion of 1739, Nader Shah, the emperor of Iran, looted the precious jewels attached to it.
• Among the known precious stones that Nadir Shah looted were the Akbar Shah, Great Mughal, Great Table, Koh-i-Noor, and Shah diamonds, as well as the Samarian spinel and the Timur ruby.
• These stones were either part of the Peacock Throne or were in possession of the Mughal emperors.
• The Akbar Shah Diamond was said to form one of the eyes of a peacock, as did the Koh-i-Noor.
• The Shah diamond was described by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier as being on the side of the throne.
• Many of these stones ended up becoming part of the Persian crown jewels and, later, the British crown jewels as a result of Great Britain's colonial expansion into the region