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Asian Affairs

Volume 40, Issue 3, 2009

MAHARAJA: THE SPLENDOUR OF INDIA'S ROYAL COURTS

MAHARAJA: THE SPLENDOUR OF INDIA'S ROYAL COURTS

Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum 10 October 2009–17 January 2010

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DOI:
10.1080/03068370903195220
Anna Jackson*

pages 425-432

Available online: 10 Nov 2009
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Abstract

A curtain-raiser for the current “Maharaja” Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert museum, which explains the evolution of Indian concepts of kingship from the early18th to the mid-twentieth centuries. The article describes how pageantry and symbolism formed part of the essentials of kingship, together with martial prowess and patronage of the arts. The British Raj thus took over a valid existing pattern of behaviour, which however became increasingly difficult to sustain and justify as independence loomed.

 

Details

  • Available online: 10 Nov 2009

Routledge

Author notes

  • Anna Jackson -

    Anna Jackson is the Deputy Keeper of the Asian Department at the V&A and lead curator of the Maharaja exhibition. Her major research interest is the cultural relationship between Asia and the West, on which she has published widely. In 2004 she was co-curator, with Amin Jaffer, of Encounters: the meeting of Asia and Europe 1500-1800 and co-editor of the accompanying book. She is also responsible for the V&A's collection of Japanese textiles and dress, on which she has published a number of books.

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