publication date: Dec 5, 2012
|
author/source: Julia Bairstow
The
Mughal India – Art, Culture and Empire exhibition currently at the
British Library is fascinating and well
worth a visit. It celebrates more than
300 years of the
Mughal Dynasty from 1526-1858. At its peak, the
Mughal Dynasty incorporated most of
India, as we know
today, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Visitors can see the extent of
this vast
empire on a map, together with significant information about the
Mughals and their dynasty. This is situated at the entrance to the exhibition.
Moving into the actual
exhibition itself there are over
200 paintings, objects
and manuscripts, which reflect the rich
cultural heritage of the Mughals. Their
interest in
art, science, nature, medicine, literature, politics and religion
as well as aspects of daily life, eg how to design
gardens, recipes for both
foods and fragrances and on what days to do one's washing etc are all shown in
the exhibits. I was particularly
impressed with some of the wonderful
manuscripts and their intricate, colourful
designs and
calligraphy.
The fact that the
Mughal Dynasty was so powerful and important is
evident through all these exhibits, as well as the building of
fortresses,
palaces, mausoleums and religious institutions, many of which still survive in
India today. The most important of these are probably the
Taj Mahal in
Agra and
the
Red Fort in Delhi, both of which were commissioned by
Mughal Emperors and
are shown in paintings in the exhibition.
A few of the
exhibition highlights to look out for:-
-
A panorama of Delhi
by Mazhar ‘Ali Khan (1846)
- Mid 17th
century Mughal cavalry man and horse armour
- The ex-king of Delhi,
Bahadur Shah II, awaiting trial in May
1858 (the only documented photograph of the last Mughal emperor)
- Bahadur Shah's elaborate crown
- The Notebook of
Fragrance (1698) - a unique manuscript of aspects of household management and
activities
The
exhibition lasts until 2 April
2013 and as well as the
exhibits, there are some
events taking place, including
half-term family activities from Tuesday 12 to Thursday 14 February 2013.
PWT rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥The
cost of the
exhibition is £9 for an adult (£10 including gift aid) and
free for
under 18s.
For further information,
visit
Mughal India
