There was a period in Indian history when art, architecture, textiles, and beauty reached a height that the world had never seen before and has arguably never seen since. The Mughal Empire, which ruled the Indian subcontinent from the early 1500s to the mid 1800s, did not just conquer territory. It created a civilisation of astonishing aesthetic refinement. The Taj Mahal was not an accident of Mughal culture. It was its natural expression. The same sensibility that produced the world's most beautiful building also produced the world's most beautiful textiles: shawls with paisley compositions so intricate they took years to complete, fabrics with Tilla metallic thread embroidery that caught candlelight like liquid gold, and Jamawar weaves with patterns so complex they carried the mathematical precision of architecture within every thread.
The Mughal collection at Taroob brings this extraordinary artistic heritage into the modern wardrobe. Every piece is handcrafted by artisans in Amritsar using techniques that descend directly from the Mughal court tradition. You will find Mughal Darbar shawls for women with hand-painted court motifs that were created for empresses. You will find Kalamkari shawls with botanical compositions inspired by the gardens that Mughal emperors planted across the subcontinent.
The Mughal collection includes pieces from across Taroob's categories. Co ord sets with Mughal-inspired prints that bring Darbar art to coordinated everyday dressing. Designer kaftans with paisley and botanical patterns that flow like the arched corridors of Mughal palaces. Capes with Tilla and Kalamkari work that create the kind of entrance a Mughal court artist would have painted.
For men, the Mughal collection extends into Kashmiri shawls with Sozni needlework and Tilla embroidery, men's stoles with Jamawar weave patterns, and Pashmina shawls that carry the same fibre quality that Mughal emperors commissioned for their personal use.
Understanding the Mughal Aesthetic
The Mughal aesthetic is immediately recognisable once you know what to look for, and understanding it deepens your appreciation of every piece in this collection.
The paisley, known in India as the "buta" or "boteh," is the signature Mughal motif. This teardrop shape originated in Persia, was adopted by Mughal artisans, and was refined into the most complex and celebrated motif in textile art history. In the Mughal collection at Taroob, the paisley is not a simple, isolated shape. It is a universe within a teardrop, filled with tiny flowers, tendrils, leaves, and sometimes even miniature landscapes.
Botanical compositions are the second pillar of Mughal textile art. The emperors were obsessed with gardens. Shah Jahan's gardens, Babur's memoirs about flowers, Jahangir's detailed observations of nature, all of this love for the natural world found its way into textiles through flowing depictions of flowers, vines, and trees rendered with scientific precision and artistic imagination.
Tilla metallic thread creates the shimmer that defines Mughal court luxury. Gold and silver coloured metallic thread woven or embroidered into fabric creates a subtle, rich luminosity that catches light without being loud. This technique is among the most time-intensive in all of textile art.
Styling the Mughal Collection
For weddings and formal occasions, a Mughal Darbar shawl draped over a solid gown or embroidered kurta set creates the richest possible look. The shawl becomes the centrepiece. For festive celebrations, a Mughal print co ord set or kaftan carries enough visual weight to stand alone without heavy accessories.
For everyday styling, a Mughal-print silk stole draped over a simple outfit adds court art to your everyday wardrobe. For men, a Jamawar stole paired with a Nehru jacket creates a modern interpretation of Mughal menswear that works for weddings, festivals, and formal events.
The Mughal Collection as Gifts
Mughal-inspired pieces carry both beauty and historical significance, making them among the most meaningful gifts at Taroob. A Mughal Darbar shawl tells the recipient, "I chose something with 500 years of artistic heritage behind it." Browse our gift shop, gift boxes, and corporate gifting program.
