This mouthpiece for a huqqa was made within the Mughal empire, probably in the early 19th century. The huqqa, a water pipe, was smoked extensively at the Mughal court. Tobacco was introduced to India by the Portuguese in the early sixteenth century and first brought to the Mughal Empire of northern India in 1604, by the emissary Asad Beg. This mouthpiece would have been used to inhale smoke drawn from a water bowl, or huqqa base, via a long flexible tube. It was acquired by William Tayler during his time in India and bought from him by the museum in 1874. Tayler was educated in England at Charterhouse and also spent a term at Christ Church, Oxford. He entered service with the East India Company on 30th April 1829, arriving in India in October of the same year. He held various posts in Bengal and was appointed Commissioner of Patna in 1855. During his service, he was able to acquire many objects, including hardstones, relating to the customs and religions of India as well as objects from other parts of South Asia. He was criticised for his handling of the uprisings in Northern India and was moved to a lesser post before being suspended, ultimately resigning on 29th March 1859. He then practised as an advocate in the law courts of Bengal before returning to England in 1867. He wrote a book about his experiences, entitled Thirty-eight Years in India in which he states that "After my return to England, circumstances induced me, though with great reluctance, to part with the collection which is now in the South Kensington Museum".