Takht e Taus

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The Peacock Throne also known as Takht-e-Tavous or "Mor Sinhasan" (Urdu: تخت طائوس Hindi: मोर सिंहासन Persian: تخت طاووس) was made for the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. The Peacock Throne was yet another example of Shah Jahan's aesthetic sense and artistic character. It was used as the Mughal Imperial throne for a period of about one century. After the decline of the Mughal Empire the Peacock throne was taken from Delhi by Nadir Shah of Persia during his invasion of the Mughal Empire in 1739.

The Peacock Throne in Golestan Palace, Iran

The French traveller, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who saw Delhi in 1665, described the throne as of the shape of a bed (a "takhta" i.e. platform), 6 ft. by 4 ft., supported by four golden feet, 20 to 25 in. high, from the bars above which rose twelve columns to support the canopy; the bars were decorated with crosses of rubies and emeralds, and also with diamonds and pearls. In all there were 108 large rubies on the throne, and 116 emeralds, but many of the latter had flaws. The twelve columns supporting the canopy were decorated with rows of splendid pearls, and Tavernier considered these to be the most valuable part of the throne. Estimates of its value varied: Rs. 4 crore (Bernier) and Rs. 10 crore (Tavernier). According to The History Channel, the throne would be worth $1 billion today. ^[1].

Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) of Agra Fort, India.

It was believed that in the civil war following Nadir’s assassination in 1747, the throne was destroyed. However it is now believed that the throne with Indian craftsmanship in the Topkapı Palace may be the legendary Peacock Throne.

Subsequent Persian thrones copied its style and were also called the Peacock Throne.

The Peacock Throne is also an informal term for the Iranian monarchy from Nadir Shah to the monarchy’s end in 1979.