The Victoria and Albert Museum in London unveils its upcoming blockbuster exhibition, The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence, on 9th November 2024. This monumental display will highlight the lavish artistic achievements of the Mughal Empire’s “Golden Age,” which spanned roughly 1560 to 1660. For the first time, British audiences will see an extensive array of paintings, decorative objects, and textiles from one of history’s most opulent courts.
Curator Susan Stronge emphasized that the exhibition showcases the Mughal Empire’s distinctly international artistic culture. “Hindustani, Iranian, and even a few European artists collaborated in the imperial workshops, merging their talents into a striking hybrid art,” Stronge explained. Many featured pieces, drawn from national and international collections, have rarely or never been exhibited publicly, adding a rare depth to the narrative of this world power.
The exhibition will unfold in three main sections, each dedicated to the reigns of emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. The first segment explores Akbar’s leadership, marked by creative and military achievements. Highlights include illustrated manuscripts, such as folios from the Hamza-Nama, known for its vivid portrayals of the hero Hamza in mythical battles, and a pictorial carpet from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, on display in the U.K. for the first time.
A section devoted to Emperor Jahangir will celebrate his opulent court and love of rare objects. Spectacular examples include a jade wine cup from the Al Thani Collection, inscribed with Jahangir’s titles and Persian poetry, and a rare Mughal hunting coat, part of the V&A’s collection. Embroidered with delicate animals and plants, this coat offers a unique glimpse into the visual storytelling central to Jahangir’s court life.
The final segment focuses on Shah Jahan, who is best known for commissioning the Taj Mahal. This section will display intricate architectural plans and model reproductions of the Taj Mahal, symbolizing his devotion and vision of a paradise on earth. Also featured is a famed white jade wine cup shaped like a ram’s head, which bears Shah Jahan’s title—a piece renowned for its elegance and precision.
This ambitious exhibition is poised to reimagine the splendour of the Mughal court, featuring international loans from collections as far as Kuwait and Florence. With over 200 rare pieces, The Great Mughals exhibition promises to immerse visitors in the grandeur and creativity that defined one of history’s most celebrated empires.
Top Photo: The Giant Zumurrud Shah flees with his army by flying away on urns sent by sorcerers, folio from the Hamza-Nama, about 1562 – 77 MAK – Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna. Photo © MAK / Georg Mayer
The Great Mughals: Art Architecture and Opulence – The first major exhibition celebrating the ‘Golden Age’ of the Mughal Court 9 November 2024 – 5 May 2025
Galleries 38 & 39, V&A South Kensington £22