Agra

The Mughals established their centralized government with a strong administration and bureaucracy to support it with the ascension of Emperor Akbar to the throne in 1556. The essential features of the Mughal art were also established under active patronage of Akbar. These features included a love of and respect for the natural world, an interest in historical record, an insistence on workmanship of the highest standard, perhaps most importantly, a synthesis of Iranian, European and Indian traditions.

Emperor Akbar died in 1605 and was succeeded by his son Jahangir, who ruled until 1627. During his reign there were numerous references to weaving centers although no specific royal workshops. It was during the reign of Shah Jahan (1628-1658) that the royal carpet weaving workshops were established. From these workshops the most beautiful carpets were woven. They predominantly have a red field with delicate floral designs in the field and borders. A number of these carpets belong to the current Maharaja of Jaipur, whose records show that the earliest rug purchase was in 1632, early in Shah Jahan's reign.

The method of weaving the rugs and the dyes used have hardly altered in the 300 years that have passed. Interest in Indian carpets continues to grow throughout the world and the rugs produced today will be the antiques of the future.