The rule of the Mughal dynasty on the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century calls to mind lavish splendor, great wealth, and limitless power. The early European visitors to the Mughal Empire in the 16th century referred to the ruler of the Mughal dynasty as the "Great Mughal." The Mughal dynastic family produced seventeen emperors in all, but history has recognized only the first six as truly deserving of the title.

This exhibition will explore the artistic patronage of four "Great Mughals"—Akbar (r. 1556-1605), Jahangir (r. 1605-1627), Shah Jahan (r. 1627-1658), and Aurangzeb (r. 1658-1707)—who expanded and strengthened the empire left to them by the founders Babur (r. 1526-1530) and Humayun (r. 1530-1540, 1555-1556).

Akbar (The Great)
1542-1605

Curious, open-minded, visionary ruler who centralized power and established a vast and stable administrative structure bringing together Hindus and Muslims; made religious tolerance a policy of state; possessed only the rudiments of reading and writing and was probably dyslexic, but was endowed with a prodigious memory

Explore the paintings attributed to Akbar's reign

Jahangir (World-Seizer)
1569-1627

Kept a daily memoir that reveals a pragmatic and empirical bent and lays bare his preoccupations as a ruler, his thrill at the hunt, the poetry that informs his thoughts; he was at times sentimental and much given to wine and opium

Explore the paintings attributed to Jahangir's reign

Shah Jahan (King of the World)
1592-1666

Enjoyed and used the power of pomp and luxurious display; created the jewel-encrusted Peacock Throne and the Taj Mahal, a white marble monument to his beloved wife Mumtaz

Explore the paintings attributed to Shah Jahan's reign

Aurangzeb (Ornament of the Throne)
1618-1707

A soldier of the Islamic faith.

Explore the paintings attributed to Aurangzeb's reign

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

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