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When thinking of the Mughal period in India, one's first thought may be of the Taj Mahal, but this exhibition demonstrates that there is so much more to this fascinating era. The dynasty which was established by Babur in 1526 and which became known as Mughal, a derivation of the Persian word for Mongol, was a golden age in which the arts flourished. The era lasted from 1580 to 1650 and covers the reigns of Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. These Muslim rulers created an atmosphere of remarkable religious tolerance. That openness is beautifully illustrated by a page from a manuscript which shows a Muslim pilgrim learning a lesson in piety from a Brahman. It is this atmosphere that fosters the evolution of a distinctive style that extends from jewellery, to fabrics, to book illustration. It culminates in architectural masterpieces like Akbar's creation of the Agra Fort and Shah Jahan's commission of the extraordinary tomb for his wife, the Taj Mahal. Divided into historical galleries (The Reign of Akbar 1556 - 1605, The Reign of Jahangir 1605 - 1627 Part I: The Treasury of the World, The Reign of Jahangir 1605 - 1627 Part II: The Travelling Court, and The Reign of Shah Jahan 1628 - 1658), the exhibition showcases some amazing treasures. Works such as Squirrels in a plane tree (c. 1605-1610) and A Zebra (1621) are simply delightful, and the chronicle of Akbar's construction of the Agra Fort is quite remarkable. The inlaid wooden cabinets from the workshops in Gujarat and the creations by the goldsmiths, such as the bejewelled dagger and scabbard, demonstrate skills that are positively breathtaking. The exhibition also highlights an intriguing interaction with European artistic traditions brought to the East by the Jesuits. The page from Nizami's story of Iskandar (Alexander the Great) also beautifully references the outward looking nature of the regime. Indeed, this is an exhibition that not only commemorates the extraordinary artistic creation of a golden era, it celebrates the openness and tolerance that allows for civilisation to flourish.
Rated: ★★★★
Reviewed by J.C.
Image: Inlaid marble balustrades, 17th Century. On loan from The al-Sabah Collection, Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah
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