THE drama behind the Taj Mahal was the enigmatic title chosen by the historian Oliver Everett for his outstanding lecture to the Nidd Valley Decorative and Fine Arts Society.

Mr Everett is Librarian Emeritus of the Royal Library, Windsor Castle and was Librarian and Assistant Keeper of the Royal Archives from 1985 to 2002.

It is in one of the books in the royal collection that the drama is told. The book is the Padshahnama, an Imperial Moghul Manuscript given to Lord Teignmouth, Governor General of India in 1797 and then presented by him to King George III the following year.

The book chronicles events in the Court of the Moghul Emperors and was produced during the reign of the Emperor Shah Jehan, known as the King of the World, from 1628 to 1659. The text is in Persian but the story is graphically told through the 44 exquisite A4-size paintings which illustrate it so vividly.

The details in these paintings is incredible and we were amazed at the skill of the 14 different artists who produced the illustrations, often taking up to two years to complete a page.

With his excellent slides, Mr Everett guided us through a selection of the vibrant pictures showing battles, weddings, coronations, birthday celebrations, even an elephant fight, all illustrating the often bloodthirsty story of the Moghul Dynasty with its cast of distinctive characters and recurring themes.

The next lecture will be on Monday, July 21 at 8pm and is entitled Signs of the Times: How to interpret signs and symbols in Medieval art. It is to be given by Mrs Imogen Corrigan BA Hons and will be at Christ Church Centre on the Stray. For more information, telephone the membership secretary on 01423 879609.