the Portuguese brought in tobacco. Around 1604, one of Akbar’s courtiers chanced upon some tobacco, which he bought and gave to the emperor and his nobles. From the court, its use spread. However, it suffered a temporary decline when Akbar’s successor, Jahangir, issued an edict in 1617. ‘As the smoking of tobacco has taken a very bad effect upon the health and mind of many persons, I order that no one should practice this habit.’
