Mughal Daggers: Art in Weaponry
During the 16th century, a captivating trend of ornate bejeweled blades emerged in the Near East and South Asia. They showcase the exquisite...
Maya M. Tola 24 April 2026
#Mughal Empire
The Decline of Mughal Arts Under Aurangzeb
Muḥī al-Dīn Muḥammad was the sixth man to ascend to the Mughal throne and the last of the strong Mughal rulers. He was a notable expansionist...
Maya M. Tola 24 April 2026
Mughal Gardens: Paradise on Earth
The Mughal regime is a well-documented era and the cultural achievements of this period are an important landmark in South Asian art history. While...
Maya M. Tola 24 April 2026
Jahangir’s Wine Cups: Mughal Decorative Arts
The Mughal Empire stands as one of history’s most opulent periods known to nurture a rich tapestry of art and architecture that offers a...
Maya M. Tola 24 March 2026
Jali in Mughal Architecture, the Most Delicate Stone Curtains
The jali, or pierced screens, have been extensively employed in Indian construction since time immemorial. They appear in both Hindu and Islamic...
Maya M. Tola 24 March 2026
Masterpiece Story: Taj Mahal
Located on the southern bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, a little over 100 miles outside New Delhi, is India’s most famous monument and one of the...
Maya M. Tola 15 March 2026
Miniature Paintings of the Mughal Empire
The Mughals descended from a lineage of formidable conquerors such as Genghis Khan and Amir Timur. They were themselves the most dominant force in...
Maya M. Tola 8 January 2026
Crowning Traditions: The Symbolism of Turbans in South Asia
Turbans are one of the most enduring forms of headwear in human history. Though associated today with Sikh and Muslim communities, turban and...
Maya M. Tola 3 July 2025
Masterpiece Story: The Red Fort in Delhi
The Red Fort, or Lal Qila, stands as a commanding symbol of India’s rich cultural and political heritage. Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah...
Maya M. Tola 23 June 2025
Humayun’s Tomb: The First Mughal Architectural Masterpiece
In the heart of Delhi, surrounded by the city’s dense traffic and modern sprawl, stands Humayun’s Tomb, or Maqbara-i Humayun, a quiet...
Maya M. Tola 26 May 2025
Artistic Patronage of Akbar the Great
Abu’l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, later known as Akbar the Great, was born into uncertain circumstances in 1542, during a period of exile for...
Maya M. Tola 5 May 2025
Modern Muse: Arpita Shah’s Feminist Take on Mughal Portraiture
Staging an intervention in art history, and specifically in Indian miniature portraiture, Arpita Shah replaces male Mughal emperors with inspiring...
Guest Author 17 March 2025
