The Mughal India exhibition is now closed.
**** ‘a revelation’ The Daily Telegraph
**** ‘spectacular’ The Times
**** ‘enthralling’ Metro
Bahadur Shah II's crown, c. 1825-50
Royal Collection Trust (Windsor ref: RCIN 67236) © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Akbar ordering the slaughter to cease in 1578
A page from an imperial manuscript, Akbarnama, documenting the history of Emperor Akbar (r.1556-1605). One of the greatest rulers of the Indian subcontinent, he was an advocate of understanding all religious faiths.
Squirrels in a plane tree
This inspired scene captures the movements of the animals as well as the huntsman attempting to gain hold of the tree.
Portrait of Prince Dara Shikoh (1615-59)
A newly-identified portrait of Prince Dara Shikoh who was executed in 1659, at the request of his younger brother and new emperor Aurangzeb (ruled 1658-1707).
Prince Aurangzeb reports to Emperor Shah Jahan (ruled 1627-58)
An official audience held at the Mughal court at Lahore in 1649, featuring the Emperor receiving his son Aurangzeb, who is pictured with his arm raised in salute.
Allahvardi Khan out hawking
A naturalistic portrayal of a nobleman out riding; Allahvardi Khan (d.1668) was a chief huntsman in the 17th century.
Divan-i Khas in the Delhi palace
Hall of Private Audience: from 1803 the Mughal Emperor could only exercise his authority within the confines of the Red Fort.
Timur enthroned with his descendants from Babur to Jahangir
Dynastic group portrait of Emperors Babur, Humayun, Akbar and Jahangir with the poet Sa’di on the left and an attendant on the right.
Emperor Bahadur Shah in May 1858
The only known photograph of Bahadur Shah (1775-1862), the last Mughal Emperor. Taken in May 1858, while the British held him in Delhi awaiting his trial for his part in the Uprisings.
Battle of Panipat, 1526
The historic battle at Panipat saw Babur and his army defeat Afghan Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, the collapse of the Sultanate of Delhi, and the subsequent establishment of the Mughal Empire.
Jade gem-set flywhisk handle
Private Collection, Courtesy of Simon Ray, London. Objects such as this reflect the wealth of the imperial treasury.
At its peak, the Mughal Empire stretched from Kabul in the northwest and covered most of the South Asian subcontinent. Descendants of Timur (Tamerlane), the Mughal emperors ruled over a vast land from the 16th century through to the late 17th century and commissioned some of the most beautiful artefacts and architecture in India, including the incomparable Taj Mahal. During this period, the rulers encouraged artistry, reformed government and accelerated the development of Indian transport and communications.
The Mughals were a Muslim dynasty, founded when a ruler from Turkestan, Babur, defeated the Sultan of Delhi in 1526. His grandson Akbar further secured the throne and encouraged greater unity between Muslims, Hindus and Christians, while also promoting the arts and education.
The British Library’s Mughal India exhibition was the first to document the entire period, from the 16th to the 19th centuries, through more than 200 exquisite objects.
Many of the exhibits can be seen in a series of six Facebook albums. You do not need a Facebook account to see them.
http://tiny.cc/bl-fb-mughals-1
http://tiny.cc/bl-fb-mughals-2
http://tiny.cc/bl-fb-mughals-3
http://tiny.cc/bl-fb-mughals-4
http://tiny.cc/bl-fb-mughals-5
http://tiny.cc/bl-fb-mughals-6
To find out more about the Mughal Empire, read our Asian and African Studies blog
Accompanying book
by J.P. Losty and Malini Roy Over 150 colour illustrations | 256 pages | Paperback £19.95 | Hardback £30.00