The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence

The Great Mughals presents, for the first time the opulent, internationalist culture of Mughal Hindustan in the age of its greatest emperors: Akbar (r.1556-1605), Jahangir (r.1605-1627) and Shah Jahan (r.1628-1658).

Providing a compelling new narrative to describe the origins of Mughal art, it explores how a huge Iranian influence permeated the sophisticated craft traditions of the Indian subcontinent to create a distinctively Mughal court are included: from contemporary portraits to jewelled gold vessels and carpets.

In chapters that conjure the unique dynamics of each reign, essays with a historical sweep combine with texts focused on important objects to tell unexpected stories about a dynasty perhaps best known for commissioning the Taj Mahal.

About the Author:

Susan Stronge is Senior Curator, Asia Department at the V&A.