Source: news.bbc.co.uk
UNITED KINGDOM, October 27, 2009: When it comes to majestic grandeur, few monarchies in the world matched the opulence of India’s royal courts in their heyday. The Victoria and Albert (V&A) museum in London has brought some of that splendor to life in a new exhibition featuring more than 250 rarely seen objects, including thrones, gem-encrusted weapons and even a life-sized and bejeweled maharaja’s model elephant.
Organizers say that Maharaja: The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts is the first display that comprehensively explores the world of these exotic rulers and their rich culture. “This exhibition shows that India’s rulers were significant patrons of the arts, in India and the West, and tells the fascinating story of the changing role of the maharaja from the early 18th century to the final days of the Raj.”
See a slideshow here.