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Islamic Art :
Archive : Mughal Steel Dagger
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Mughal Steel Dagger - AM.0455
Origin: India
Circa: 19
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
13.08" (33.2cm) high
x 1.77" (4.5cm) wide
Collection: Islamic Art
Medium: Steel
Additional Information: SOLD
£6,500.00
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
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The Mughal Dynasty was founded by Zahiru al-
Din Babur upon three successive victorious
battles that allowed him to secure control of
northern India. A Muslim minority in a Hindu
land, the Mughal would rule India from 1526-
1858. After Babur, each ruler managed to extend
Mughal dominance over the natives until the
entire subcontinent was under their authority,
from the foothills of the Himalayas all the way to
the southern tip of Cape Comorin. However,
soon after, Emperor Aurangzeb abandoned the
religious tolerance that characterized the rule of
his ancestors and attempted to convert the whole
of India to Islam. This deliberate change in policy
naturally ignited numerous rebellions. As the
revolts spread across the land, including groups
that had been loyal to the Mughals for many
generations, the arrival of the Europeans added
further complications. The ambitions of the
European powers extended beyond mere trade,
and their superior military power and
organization completely stripped the Mughal of
any naval power. The Mughal Dynasty continued
onward, becoming successively weaker and
weaker with each ruler until the British finally
overcame both the Mughals and the native
Hindus by exploiting their animosity towards
each other, ending a three hundred year period
of Muslim rule in the subcontinent. Artistically,
the Mughal style blended the native Persian
patterns imported by the Mughals with the
indigenous genius for intricate craftsmanship
that characterizes the subcontinent. Noted
equally for their distinctive architecture as well as
their beautiful jewelry, the crowning achievement
of this style is the Taj Mahal, the world famous
monument built in the Mughal capital of Agra.
This elegantly detailed dagger exemplifies that
sophisticated metalworking techniques that
thrived under Mughal patronage. While the
sharpened blade features foliate patterns
engraved on the steel, the hilt has been inlaid
with gold that highlights the similar decorative
motifs. Ostensibly a weapon, the inherent value
of the gold and the luxurious workmanship of
the piece suggests that this dagger may have in
fact been more for display than for war. Surely a
noble carrying such a gorgeous piece would have
commanded the respect and admiration of his
peers.
- (AM.0455)
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