History is full of stories about Mughal emperors and Indian kings who were famous not only for their wealth and grandeur but also for their large harems and romantic pursuits. Emperor Akbar is said to have had nearly 5,000 women in his harem, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala had around 350 women, and Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan of Hyderabad had 86 queens in his palace.
To maintain their virility and stamina, these rulers relied on traditional Ayurvedic and Unani remedies. They believed these secret formulas would prevent aging and enhance their masculine strength. Historical records and writings still mention such potions and diets used by royals to maintain their vigor.
Traditional Practices and Diets
Experts of Unani medicine claim that protein and heat-producing foods were essential for vitality. That’s why royal meals included meat dishes paired with dry fruits, along with ginger, dates, garlic, and onions—ingredients believed to increase energy and virility. Some kings even consumed herbal mixtures and mix a special herb called Hartal Varkiya into their betel leaves (paan).
Gold Ash and Exotic Ingredients
One of the most famous stories comes from Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh, whose meal is mixed with gold ash (Swarn Bhasma). It was believed that doing so not only enhanced the flavor of the food but also increased the Nawab’s masculine strength. It is said that the Nawab’s royal physician (hakim) used to prepare a special Unani aphrodisiac paste for him, known as Ishqiya Majoon. This formulation was believed to enhance his virility and masculine power.
This practice wasn’t limited to Awadh. Several Mughal emperors also consumed boiled meat mixed with medicinal ash or herbal powders. Historical accounts even mention that some Mughal rulers ate exotic substances such as blackbuck navel or wild rabbits, believing these strengthened their physical stamina and masculine power. The Mughal emperors were said to consume Indragopa insects as well.
One fascinating account is also found in Diwan Jarmani Dass’ book “Maharaja,” which describes the private lives of Indian kings and princess during British rule. He wrote that the Maharaja of Patiala often worried about his vitality and experimented with various methods to enhance his strength— sometimes eating brain of a sparrow, mixed with finely chopped carrots, and at other times consuming Kushta, a unani medicinal preparation. The Maharaja reportedly tried everything to maintain his reputation of power and masculinity.
