Maharaja: The Splendour of India's Royal Courts
Event location: Victoria and Albert Museum. Ongoing event.
 Sponsored by Ernst & Young
The word 'maharaja' (literally 'great king') conjures up images of fantasy and spectacle. The heyday of the maharajas began in earnest after the collapse of the Mughal empire in the early 18th century. The exhibition will open with this period of chaos and adventure and will close at the end of British rule in 1947, when Indian princes acceded their territories into the modern states of India and Pakistan.
The show will explore the extraordinary culture of princely India, showcasing rich and varied objects that reflect different aspects of royal life. The exhibits will include both Indian and Western works, featuring paintings, photography, textiles and dress, jewellery, jewelled objects, metalwork and furniture. These sensational works will be explored within a broader historical context of princely life and ideals, patronage, court culture and alliances.
About the Maharajas
The maharajas (literally translated as "great kings") were Indian princes who inhabited a lavish world in colonial India. This exhibition tells their story from the 18th century when their great era began, to the end of British rule in 1947.
Maharaja at the V&A
More than 250 stunning objects are being shown, reflecting different aspects of the royal life. Many are on loan from India's royal collections and have never been seen before in the UK.
Maharaja Exhibition Highlights
The highlights of the V&A's Maharaja exhibition include:
- A golden throne
- The recreation of an Indian royal procession
- A silver howdah carried atop a life-sized model elephant
- Jewelled weapons
- Photographs and portraits by Man Ray and Cecil Beaton
- A carpet of pearls, rubies, emeralds and diamonds
The Art and Style of the Maharajas Comes to London
The exhibition explores the history and role of the maharajas, their rich culture and their patronage of the arts in India and Europe.
The opulence of the maharajas' world is brought to life through the display of many luxurious commissions which elevated their royal status.
The maharajas commissioned saris designed by French couture houses, and stunning ceremonial jewellery, including designs by Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.
Also on show will be modernist furniture created for the palace of the Maharaja of Indore, and designs for the Art Deco residence of the Maharaja of Jodhpur.
The Maharajas: Indian and European Cultures Entwined
The exhibition portrays the increasing influence of European tastes on the maharajas' lives, their embrace of the avant-garde, and how a new Anglo-Indian style developed.
Make sure you catch this wonderful exhibition to enjoy the lavish style of a unique period of Indian history.
Tickets no longer available
We regret to inform you that tickets for Maharaja: The Splendour of India's Royal Courts are no longer available. The event has either ended, sold out or been cancelled. For a list of currently available events, go to the London Online Events Channel
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