What does ‘Shab-i Barat’ mean?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Night when destinies of the Muslims for the coming year are determined.

Option (1) Wedding procession. — Incorrect. Shab-i barat is a night of the hijri calendar, not a part of a wedding. The weddings of the Mughal household had their own ceremonies, such as the exhibition of the wedding gifts in the diwan-i am.

Option (2) Night of ‘hinabandi’. — Incorrect. Hinabandi is the application of henna dye, a wedding ceremony; at the wedding of Dara Shukoh it was performed in the diwan-i khas. It has nothing to do with Shab-i barat.

Option (3) Night when destinies of the Muslims for the coming year are determined. — Correct. Shab-i barat is the full moon night on the 14 Shaban, the eighth month of the hijri calendar, celebrated with prayers and fireworks. It is the night when the destinies of the Muslims for the coming year are said to be determined and sins forgiven. At the Mughal court it was one of the special occasions, like Id and Holi.

Option (4) Ceremony held in Diwan-i Khas. — Incorrect. The diwan-i khas was the hall where the emperor held private audiences and discussed confidential matters; the hinabandi of Dara Shukoh’s wedding was held there. Shab-i barat is a festival night, not a ceremony of that hall.

Note: This question is taken from the chapter ‘Kings and Chronicles’ which was there in the pre-rationalised NCERT and has been deleted from subsequent editions of NCERT, including the NCERT book (2026-27).

NCERT (Pre-rationalised): “6.2 The Mughal court Shab-i barat is the full moon night on the 14 Shaban, the eighth month of the hijri calendar, and is celebrated with prayers and fireworks in the subcontinent. It is the night when the destinies of the Muslims for the coming year are said to be determined and sins forgiven.

… Two hours later, the emperor was in the diwan-i khas to hold private audiences and discuss confidential matters. High ministers of state placed their petitions before him and tax officials presented their accounts. Occasionally, the emperor viewed the works of highly reputed artists or building plans of architects (mimar). On special occasions such as the anniversary of accession to the throne, Id, Shab-i barat and Holi, the court was full of life. Perfumed candles set in rich holders and palace walls festooned with colourful hangings made a tremendous impression on visitors.…”