"During the mid-18th century, while Delhi was rocked by instability, many of its leading poets, painters and craftspeople migrated to Lucknow and Faizabad in search of new patrons. Through this population shift, Lucknow flourished as a courtly capital, its wealth matched by a cosmopolitan atmosphere that attracted Indian elites and European adventurers alike. The ruling Nawabs of Awadh were keen to eclipse Delhi and supported the trades, commissioning many fine jewelled and decorated objects - including, of course, ceremonial swords."
"The display is a single glass case with ten items on display, because of course, each sword has a scabbard, often as richly decorated as the sword it once housed. So, a small, but quite fascinating little display on the museum's ground floor and a worthwhile aperitif to the large armour collection at the back of the museum. As Indian and British history is marked by conflict, many of the swords prized by their Indian owners ended up back in Britain as spoils of war."
Five rare Indian swords highlight intricate decoration by master metalworkers in 18th- and 19th-century Lucknow. Many leading poets, painters and craftspeople migrated from Delhi to Lucknow and Faizabad in the mid-18th century, prompting Lucknow to flourish as a courtly capital with a cosmopolitan atmosphere that attracted Indian elites and European adventurers. The ruling Nawabs of Awadh commissioned jewelled and decorated objects, including ceremonial swords worn as tokens of power whose symbols signified the cities they ruled. The Wallace Collection displays the swords in a single glass case with ten items, often including richly decorated scabbards, and provides signage explaining motifs. Many swords reached Britain through conflict and later entered museum collections via private sales. The Swords of Lucknow display runs at the Wallace Collection until 22nd March 2026 and is free to visit.
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