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South China Morning Post
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Palace Museum offers magic carpet ride from Islamic empires
We're all familiar with Aladdin's magic carpet, but have you ever wondered from which corner of the Islamic world it might hail? The Hong Kong Palace Museum 's latest exhibition might provide some clues. Organised in collaboration with the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, 'Wonders of Imperial Carpets' presents around 100 masterpieces collected from the Safavid dynasty in Iran (1501-1736), Mughal dynasty in India (1526-1857) and Ottoman dynasty in Turkey (1299-1923), illustrating the rich cultural and artistic exchange that took place between epochs and regions. Often crafted under royal patronage, imperial carpets were made using traditional Arab techniques and materials such as pashmina wool, silk and gold and silver thread, reflecting a cultural heritage dating back to at least the 7th century BC. A mid-13th century silver-and-gold-inlaid brass basin, from the Ayyubid dynasty or the Mamluk Sultanate, Syria. Photo: courtesy The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha The creation of these artefacts was a years-long process, employing highly skilled artisans and the finest materials and dyes sourced from across the Arab world. These carpets were not only functional but also served as symbols of power and artistic achievement, featuring elaborate patterns such as floral motifs, medallions and calligraphic elements that evolved over centuries. The most precious examples were treasured in royal households and used in ceremonial contexts, often being gifted to kings and emperors in acts of tribute and statecraft. Also on display at the exhibition are the Shah Sulayman 'hunting' carpet, a gift from the Safavids to Francesco Morosini, leader of the Republic of Venice in the late 17th century, and the Kevorkian Hyderabad carpet, which at almost 16 metres is one of the longest Islamic carpets in a museum collection anywhere in the world. Around 100 treasures from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha have been loaned to the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Photo: courtesy The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha Other highlights include the Çintamani prayer rug from the Ottoman court, decorated with the auspicious çintamani motif, and a floral Xinjiang carpet from the Qianlong period (1735-1796).
India.com
10-06-2025
- General
- India.com
Meet the last Mughal heiress who now survives on Rs 6000 pension, has Bahadur Shah Zafar's connection, she lives in..., her name is...
Meet the last Mughal heiress who now survives on Rs 6000 pension, has Bahadur Shah Zafar's connection, she lives in…, her name is… The Mughals ruled most parts of the Indian subcontinent for over three centuries, starting from 1526 and until 1857. During their rule, Mughal emperors looted gold, jewellery and other precious stones and metals from India, making themselves enormously wealthy. When you imagine a Mughal heiress, you must have imagined her wearing several diamond and gold jewellery, living a comforting royal life. But, the imagination is not true. The great-granddaughter-in-law of India's last Mughal emperor who once lived in luxury, lives in a slum area on the outskirts of Kolkata city. 60-year-old Sultana Begum, who claimed to be related to the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, is living her life full of hardships. She lives in a hut with her family in Howrah. As per reports, she shares a kitchen with neighbours and street-side taps for washing clothes. A Mughal descendant's Journey From Royalty to Poverty In the 1980s, after the death of her husband Prince Mirza Bedar Bukht, Sultana's life changed tremendously. Since then she has been surviving on a pension per month pension of Rs 6,000. The family, burdened by the financial strain of raising six children, faces major economic hardship. Her daughters are also dealing with financial hardships and unable to help her. Sultana lives with her daughter Madhu Begam. She has filed several petitions to the government for help but get no response. As her royal ancestry is well-documented, the 60-year-old received a little support. Are Human Rights Organisations And NGOs Helping Sultana? Many descendants of India's former aristocracy, including Sultana, have experienced major financial hardship following British rule. Human rights advocates are helping these families. The contrast between their noble lineage and current poverty highlights historical negligence. While facing hardships, Sultana maintains pride in her heritage, recalling her late husband's emphasis on their royal ancestry and their refusal to resort to begging. She continues to petition the government for the support she believes her family is entitled to. The Mughal Dynasty The Mughal dynasty from which Sultana belongs contributed several architectural legacies throughout 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The Mughal, irrespective of their atrocities, built several beautiful structures such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, the Agra Fort and the Lahore Shalimar Gardens, most of them are recognised as world heritage sites by UNESCO. However, Sultana, for several years, sending petitions to central and state governments for help and a decent pension, but got no proper response.
