Three Emperors, Akbar, Jahangir, Jahan, rulers of the Mughal Empire from 1556–1650. And what an Empire they presided over! Conquerors, innovators, modernisers, they actively sought out and fostered creativity and the treasures collected together at the V&A are simply breathtaking.
The intricate paintings jump out with vibrant colours and astonishing detail, telling stories of imperial conquests and fairytale princesses. Here is a man offering a fish to an angel, here is the emperor standing on a globe, perched on a cow, on top of a fish. Obviously. Animals are everywhere: lions, zebras, an American turkey. They fight in richly embroidered carpets and march round the outside of a huge mother-of-pearl encrusted shield.
The jewels are out of this world. Pink ruby thumb rings and jewel-encrusted daggers, pendants of emeralds and jade. In the penultimate room, a video of the Taj Mahal, mausoleum for Jahan's favourite wife, shimmers on one wall. There is birdsong in the air and, looking through a pierced marble screen onto a decorative wall hanging in the Garden of Paradise style, the words of the 13th century Persian poet are inscribed below: 'If there is paradise on earht, it is this, it is this, it is this.'
Children and adults alike will be entranced.
The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence V&A South Kensington to 4 May 2025. Tickets: £22 adults, U26s £13, U12s free.
Emily Turner
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