A soldier of the Islamic faith

• Reigned 1658-1707, 6th in the line of Timurid succession
• Engaged throughout his life in campaigns to expand and defend the empire, bringing it to its greatest physical extent
• Turned to orthodox Islam and suppressed opposition from non-Muslims and more-liberal Shia Muslims within the realm, which further divided his state, increased the drain on his coffers, and led him to abandon imperial patronage of the arts
• With no commissions, painters left the imperial atelier, seeking new patronage at regional courts, leading to further creative interactions across an even broader spectrum of Indian painting

• Innovation not incouraged
• Less interest in realism
• Emperor portrayed as pious

Enter the Auranbzeb Gallery

For more information on our South Asian Collection, please visit our online catalogue.

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