This gallery showcases the vivid world of the Mughal Emperors who ruled India from 1526 and who were lavish and innovative patrons of art and architecture. Ruling from Agra, Delhi and Lahore the Emperors presided over court arts which achieved a brilliant synthesis of Persian, Indian and European styles.
The finely-knotted carpet to the right as you enter the gallery from the rear staircase is a superb example of carpet weaving; the craft was introduced to India under the Mughal Emperors who brought weavers from centres such as Herat in modern Afghanistan.
Highly detailed and colourful Mughal paintings from the Museum’s extensive collection are hung on two walls of the gallery and show scenes from court and daily life at the time.
Objects in the wall-cases focus on the expertise of Mughal craftsmen in various materials such as metalwork, ceramics and textiles. A beautiful circular display of rare cobalt and turquoise ceramic tiles is a recent addition to the gallery.
A wall case near the gallery 34 doorway displays artefacts from the post-1760s during the British East India Company period. A textile display shows the intricately patterned, knitted cashmere gloves belonging to Warren Hastings (1732–1818), the first Governor- General of India.
Glazed ceramic tiles, c. 1771-1800, glazed, white cobalt & turqouise. Such tiles were rare on the Indian subcontinent except in Multan and around Sind in present-day Pakistan.
EA2023.72
