The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) presents a new special exhibition “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Treasures of the Mughal Court from the Victoria and Albert Museum” (“Treasures of the Mughal Court”), which will be open to the public from 6 August 2025 to 23 February 2026. “Treasures of the Mughal Court” will be Hong Kong’s first comprehensive exhibition dedicated to Mughal art, celebrating the diverse artistic traditions and unparalleled craftsmanship from the “golden age” of the Mughal dynasty (1526–1857) through a display of over 100 precious artefacts. Jointly organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and the HKPM, and solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, this exhibition also marks the first major collaboration between a Hong Kong museum and the V&A, the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design. Tickets for the exhibition are now available on the West Kowloon Cultural District’s online ticketing platforms and ticketing partners.

The Mughals stand as one of the most influential dynasties in South Asian history. This Muslim, Persian-speaking dynasty began with its first emperor, Babur (r. 1526–1530), who was descended from both Amir Timur (r. 1370–1405), the Central Asian conqueror, and Genghis Khan (r. 1206–1227), the founder of the Mongol dynasties. Babur’s dynasty became known as “Mughal”, the Persian for “Mongol”. At their peak, Mughal territories extended from Kabul in present-day Afghanistan to the borders of the Deccan sultanates in the south of the subcontinent, and from Gujarat in western India to present-day Bangladesh in the east.Between the 1560s and the 1660s, the Mughal dynasty experienced its “golden age”. This century also witnessed the three remarkable emperors, Akbar (r. 1556–1605), his son Jahangir (r. 1605–1627), and his grandson Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658), who played pivotal roles in shaping Mughal art. They fostered a climate of curiosity and encouraged cultural and artistic exchange across South Asia, China, Iran, and Europe, which culminated in a multifaceted Mughal style. The Mughal dynasty’s enduring contributions to global heritage include its profound influence on art, culture, and architecture, exemplified by the magnificent Taj Mahal commissioned by Shah Jahan, now popularly recognised as one of the new ‘Wonders of the World’. This exhibition not only displays artefacts related to the Taj Mahal but also features an immersive digital installation titled “Taj Mahal: A Love Story in a Majestic Monument”, offering a captivating exploration of the historical and artistic significance of this iconic world heritage monument. Today, architectural forms and floral decorations reminiscent of Shah Jahan’s reign are still widely used throughout South Asia, showcasing the enduring Mughal influence in the region. This impact extends globally, for instance, in the English language the word “mogul”, a homophone of “Mughal”, refers to a person with enormous wealth and power, much like a Mughal emperor.

Furthermore, “Treasures of the Mughal Court” marks a significant collaborative milestone following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the HKPM and the V&A at the first-ever Hong Kong International Cultural Summit organised by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority in 2024. A special exhibition on the same theme debuted to great acclaim at the V&A between late 2024 and early 2025, and “Treasures of the Mughal Court” at the HKPM will be its only stop in Asia after its London premiere. Incorporating a fresh curatorial perspective, the HKPM will present masterpieces from both China and South Asia, illuminating the artistic exchange and mutual appreciation of these two great cultures, sparking a unique cultural dialogue. The Mughal and Qing dynasties, both influential powers that reigned in Asia during similar periods, were renowned for their multi-ethnicity and remarkable artistic achievements.