Mughal India: Splendours of the Peacock Throne

Description

The Mughal empire dominated India for three centuries, rivalling the greatest rulers of Europe and the East in its power and splendour. Under such enlightened patrons as Akbar the Great in the 16th century and Jahangir and Shah Jahan in the 17th century, this vast muslim empire produced paintings of technical excellence and architecture of exceptional quality, such as the Taj Mahal. However, in the 19th century, internal divisions, weak emperors and the expanding British presence led to its decline. Using memoirs written by the rulers themselves, miniature paintings and architectural drawings, Mughal India reveals the achievements of this great empire.

Valerie Berinstain is a lecturer in the history and civilization of India at the Sorbonne and at the Institut national des languages et Civilisations orientates with a doctorate in Indian studies and a diploma from the Ecole du Louvre.