Inspiration behind world’s second most-selling perfume connected to Mughal Empire, it is buried…, every hour…

The classy flacon was inspired by the tumbling pools of the Mughal gardens.

Written by: Tahir Qureshi Edited by: Tahir Qureshi

Published: March 17, 2025, 4:01 PM IST

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New Delhi: The Mughals have been known for their love for architecture and cuisine. Apart from that, they are very well-known for being connoisseurs of herbal perfumes. The introduced the world to some of the most fascinating, innovative, and mesmerising scents.

Jacques Edouard Guerlain of France was one of the elite, most prolific and influential perfumers of the 20th century. Among his greatest fragrances is Shalimar which he launched in 1921 for French perfume and cosmetics house Guerlain. Shalimar is continuously in production since 1925 and is currently a flagship product for Guerlain.

Jacques Guerlain’s Shalimar is inspired by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the man behind Taj Mahal, and his profound love and devotion to his wife Mumtaz Mahal, for whom he created the spectacular Shalimar Gardens. Jacques Guerlain found this love story through a visiting maharajah in Paris. He was so enthused by the relationship that set out to create a perfume worthy of an empress, one that would be unparalleled, unmatched, ooze fervency and magnificence.

Jacques Guerlain unveiled his pet project Shalimar in 1921, wrapped in a stunning Baccarat crystal bottle. Within no time of its launch, the Shalimar perfume enthralled and enchanted France. Today, about more than a century later, Shalimar remains a bedrock of Guerlain’s legacy. According to estimates, 108 bottles of this perfume are sold every hour across the globe. It is also the second best perfume after La Petite Robe Noire.

The Shalimar’s deluxe fragrance was presented in a grand and impressive manner for which Jacques Guerlain’s cousin Raymond Guerlain designed a chic and classy flacon inspired by the tumbling pools of the Mughal gardens. Shalimar’s blue, fan-shaped bottle topper was inspired by a piece of silverware owned by the Guerlain family. The bottle was manufactured by Baccarat Crystal and received the Decorative Arts Exhibition Award in 1925.