Manuscript illustrations from both Mughal and Rajput India show that carpets played an important part in processions and other royal functions. Large “audience” carpets were placed in front of the royal throne for emissaries and petitioners to stand on when addressing the throne.

Jahangir, Mughal emperor from 1605 to 1627, once paid a visit to his brother-in-law on New Year’s Day. To celebrate the event, his brother-in-law carpeted the road between his house and the palace with gold brocades and rich velvets, so that the royal entourage would not have to touch the ground. Today we say “Roll out the red carpet” or “the red-carpet treatment” to indicate the conferring of honor and prestige.

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