A Mughal Songbook: Art, Music and Empire

Detail from an Urdu Ghazal by Asaf al-Dawlah, from the Book of Songs, Lucknow, c.1787-88, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

A Mughal Songbook reveals the treasure of the Plowden songbook, a rare manuscript of 77 songs in Persian, Urdu, Classical Hindi and Punjabi, brought to life through detailed illustrations of musicians, dancers, singers and courtesans.  

Through sounds, paintings, manuscripts and more, explore how art and music crossed boundaries of language and empire – from the Mughal Empire (1526 – 1857), which ruled much of the Indian subcontinent at that time, to the ever-expanding network of the powerful British trading organisation, the East India Company (1600 – 1874). 

Meet the skilled performers depicted in the songbook and immerse yourself in a playful panorama of life across Hindustan – including north and central regions of India, such as Bengal, Delhi, Lucknow and other centres of the late Mughal Empire. Let the rhythms and melodies of Hindustani music and dance transport you back in time.