#Mughal Empire

Architecture

Taj Mahal: India’s Most Famous Monument

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 23 February 2024

Asian Art

Holi: A Vibrant Celebration of Colors

Celebrated during the spring full moon, the Hindu festival of Holi is a joyous occasion that marks the arrival of Spring. This lively festival of...

Maya M. Tola 7 September 2023

Asian Art

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 7 September 2023

Asian Art

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 7 September 2023

Arpita Shah Modern Muse Photography

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 Profile 3 September 2023

Asian Art

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 28 August 2023

Quartz and chromium muscovite Wine Cup of Jahangir, ca. 1612 to 1613, RISD Museum, Providence, RI, USA. Design

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 14 August 2023

Asian Art

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 July 2023

Design

Six Exquisite Mother-of-Pearl Artifacts from Gujarat

Mother-of-Pearl is an iridescent layer carved out of snail shells, usually the Turbo Marmoratus. It is a luminous material that naturally reflects...

Maya M. Tola 5 July 2023

Architecture

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 18 April 2023