Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Humayun's Tomb Museum Exhibition Explores Shared Histories
The Humayun’s Tomb museum in New Delhi has a special exhibition called 'Shared Stories: An Art Journey Across Civilisations Beyond Boundaries'.
This exhibition shows 120 artifacts from India, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, Iran, and Italy.
The artifacts show how different cultures and ideas have been connected throughout history.
One important artifact is a broken statue of Durga from Afghanistan, which shows that Hindu and Buddhist ideas were present there long ago.
The exhibition also shows that Islamic art sometimes includes living forms like animals and birds, which challenges the idea that Islamic art never shows living things.
The exhibition is a reminder that different cultures have always shared ideas and motifs, and it encourages people to think about history in a more connected way.
The exhibition is on display until May and is curated by Laura Giuliano.
The exhibition 'Shared Stories: An Art Journey Across Civilisations Beyond Boundaries' at Humayun’s Tomb museum in New Delhi showcases 120 artifacts from India, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, Iran, and Italy.
The central artifact is a 7th-century CE fragment of Mahishasura Mardini (Durga slaying the buffalo demon) found in Afghanistan, highlighting the presence of Hindu and Buddhist ideas in the region.
The exhibition challenges the conventional understanding that Islamic art rarely portrays living forms, showcasing artifacts with Quranic calligraphy alongside birds and animals from Iran, Afghanistan, and Swat (Pakistan).
Recurring motifs like intertwined kissing birds and winged animals are found across different civilizations, indicating a shared visual language and cultural exchange.
The exhibition aims to remind visitors of the interconnectedness of different cultures and the shared history of artistic motifs, countering the narrative of cultural divisions.
- Who
- Curated by Italian archaeologist Laura Giuliano, the exhibition is a collaboration between India and Italy.
- What
- The exhibition showcases 120 artifacts from various civilizations, highlighting shared artistic motifs and cultural connections.
- When
- The exhibition is on display until May.
- Where
- The exhibition is held at the Humayun’s Tomb museum in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The exhibition aims to remind people of civilizational connectedness and the shared history of different cultures, countering the narrative of cultural divisions.
- Exhibition Name
- Shared Stories: An Art Journey Across Civilisations Beyond Boundaries
- Curator
- Laura Giuliano
- Location
- Humayun’s Tomb museum, New Delhi
- Duration
- Until May
- Number of Artifacts
- 120
- Lending Museum
- Museo delle Civiltà, Rome
- Key Artifact
- Fragment of Mahishasura Mardini (7th century CE)
- Cultural Regions
- India, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Italy