The <i>gaddi</i> was one of the most important textiles used in the Indian court. Often simply a textile spread on the floor with a cushion for the ruler to lean on, the <i>gaddi</i> constituted the seat of power and formed the focal point of a <i>darbar</i> or court gathering. The concept of royalty was so closely linked to this portable seat of power that the accession of a ruler was referred to as 'ascending the <i>gaddi</i>' , even though the actual ceremony of investiture often took place on a raised seat or platform of marble, stone or metal. Textiles made up the bulk of furnishings used at the Indian court, and were often richly decorated.