Welcome to F.I.E.L.D.- the First Ismaili Electronic Library and Database.

JUBILEE

Encyclopaedia of Ismailism by Mumtaz Ali Tajddin

Jubilee is a celebration of a period of time, anniversary or other special occasions. The word jubilee is derived from the Hebrew yobel, meaning ram's horn. In the ancient time, the jubilee was announced by the blowing of the shofar, a trumpet of ram's horn, and as a result, the occasion came to be known as yobel, or jubilee. The Arabic word for jubilee is also yobel, and Turkish ellinci.

A jubilee was instituted by Boniface VIII, who granted on February 22, 1300, and for each 100th year to come. The jubilee was altered in 1343 to every 50th year. The cycle was further reduced to 33 in 1389 and to 25 in 1470.

The sources produce a heap of evidences that the Mughal emperor Akbar was weighed in the gold in a open plain, decorated with jewels. The scale was made of gold, wherein the throne of gold was placed. Before that the emperor was weighed against seven kinds of grain, coral and gold on the occasion of Navroz. Sir Thomas Roa writes that emperor Jhangir was also weighed against gold, and his weight was reported about 130 pounds. Emperor Aurengzeb was not only weighed once against gold, but also against silver, grains and the bottles of perfumes. Situ, the king of Burma had weighed his son against gold. King Sajdrish was also weighed alike. Govind Chandra, the king of Kanoj was also weighed against gold when he defeated Changthuwar in 1810. King Changthuawar attacked in the plains of Ganges, where he was weighed in gold in his camp and distributed it in charity. In 1870, the king of Travankar was also weighed in gold. Sir Sayajrav, the king of Gaikwad was also weighed against gold and also Bhagavat Shin, the king of Gondal state of Kathiawar was weighed in gold in 1944, and when he was to be weighed in diamonds, his death took place.

In the general usage, a jubilee is marked by an anniversary, such as silver (25 years), golden (50 years), or diamond (60 or 75 years). Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah became unique in the world history, who was weighed on every anniversary against gold, diamonds and platinum.


Back to top