The year 2009 is a shaping up to be a busy year for the V & A, with two new permanent galleries opening - the Theatre & Performance Galleries in March and the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries in December - splashing out a whopping £120m on the refurb. There are also two major exhibitions scheduled to take place; following the Baroque display is this lavish Maharaja exhibition, showcasing the treasures of the 18th century Mughal empire - what we now know as modern day India and Pakistan. Taking the 'maharaja' (literally 'great king') as its starting point, the exhibition displays an impressive collection of art works from the time when the maharajas ruled supreme. Beginning with the collapse of the Mughal empire in the early 18th century, these works take us up to the end of British rule in 1947. Among the rare treasures is the Clive of India Flask, a jewelled jade wine flask from the early 17th century and the greatest of the Clive of India treasures. This valuable collection was previously owned by Robert Clive, a 'heaven sent general', (according to William Pitt the Elder), who worked for the East India Company and helped secure control of India for Britain. Historically significant, it's thought that the million pound flask was seized from the Mughal treasury in 1739 by invading Persian monarch Nadir Shah.
9 minutes walk from Maharaja: The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts
Keys legend Jools Holland returns to the Royal Albert Hall with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra for two nights of boogie-woogie, swing and ska. Performing ...More
3 minutes walk from Maharaja: The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts
Built in Edwardian times, the Rembrandt is an historic building but has been updated with contemporary décor and facilities. It boasts superb conference facilities, fitness ... More
5 minutes walk from Maharaja: The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts
Set back from a tree-lined garden square in exclusive Knightsbridge, with prime shopping nearby at Harrods or along the King’s Road and the Natural History ... More
3 minutes walk from Maharaja: The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts
Flamboyant, High Renaissance, Early Baroque Catholic church.
Built in 1884, in the Italianate Baroque style, the Brompton Oratory is an exact imitation of the Gesu Church ... More
4 minutes walk from Maharaja: The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts
In true French style, this chic cheese shop piles its wares high and stinking, with no fridges, or glass barriers to stop customers getting in ... More
4 minutes walk from Maharaja: The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts
A comfortable Brasserie that offers London's most daringly retro French dining experience, from the beautifully presented fruits de mer to the slightly snooty staff. The ...More
6 minutes walk from Maharaja: The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts
La Brasserie is a long-standing favourite with the Sloane crowd, handily situated opposite the most expensive shopping street in the world. This is a friendly, ...More
9 minutes walk from Maharaja: The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts
This is one of London's most prestigious art colleges and the world's only wholly postgraduate university of art and design. You will need at least ... More
6 minutes walk from Maharaja: The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts
The music school where Gustav Hoilst, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Benjamin Britten, James Galway, Joan Sutherland and Ralph Vaughan Williams learnt their trades also hosts a ...More
5 minutes walk from Maharaja: The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts
An international chain of health and fitness clubs that has a number of sites across London. Facilities vary across clubs, all have well stocked gyms ...More
12 minutes walk from Maharaja: The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts
This popular old fashioned British pub may be slightly off the main drag but for young locals it's a well-known watering hole. The outside terrace ... More
4 minutes walk from Maharaja: The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts
Private members club with a regular pack of paparazzi parked outside waiting for royals to exit after one too many vodka red bulls. Its popularity ...More
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