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
#Mughal Empire
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
