Chinese tech giant Huawei said on Monday it had developed a new way of making semiconductors that could get around its U.S.-enforced lack of access to the most
Technology

Chinese tech giant Huawei said on Monday it had developed a new way of making semiconductors that could get around its U.S.-enforced lack of access to the most advanced chipmaking equipment. Huawei has in recent years been at the centre of a geopolitical standoff after Washington warned its

<h4>World Tarot Day 2026: The most misunderstood tarot cards and what they actually mean</h4><h4>People tarot as entertainment or fear it
Horoscope

World Tarot Day 2026: The most misunderstood tarot cards and what they actually meanPeople tarot as entertainment or fear it because of the dramatic social media readings. But tarot was never meant to work through fear; it is a symbolic tool. Updated on: May 25

<h4>From mirrors to mood lighting, these 5 budget-friendly decor tricks can make small homes look surprisingly luxurious</h4><h4>Want to
Life Style

From mirrors to mood lighting, these 5 budget-friendly decor tricks can make small homes look surprisingly luxuriousWant to upgrade your home into a luxurious space? Here are some budget-friendly decor ideas you can consider for a beautiful home. Published on: May 25

A ​Bahraini court sentenced nine defendants ‌to life in prison ​and two others ⁠to three years in jail for collaborating with Iran’s Revolutionary
World

A ​Bahraini court sentenced nine defendants ‌to life in prison ​and two others ⁠to three years in jail for collaborating with Iran’s Revolutionary ‌Guard Corps (IRGC) to carry out what ‌it described as “hostile ‌and ⁠terrorist acts” against Bahrain

<h4>Tarot vs Astrology: Which one can predict your future better? An expert breaks it down</h4><h4>Astrology explains cosmic timing and
Horoscope

Tarot vs Astrology: Which one can predict your future better? An expert breaks it downAstrology explains cosmic timing and patterns. Tarot explains your emotional experience of those patterns. One gives you the map, the other acts like a mirror. Updated on: May 25

In photos: Tracing India's history through its chairs

Posted By: Hari Ram Posted On: Mar 14, 2026Share Article
Tracing India's history through its chairs

Who knew chairs could tell stories of invasions and class hierarchies?

At a recent exhibition in Mumbai city - called A History of India through Chairs - more than 200 chairs mapped the country's cultural history through their unique designs and woodwork.

The exhibition, organised by restoration firm House of Mahendra Doshi, displayed chairs sourced over decades from different corners of India by Anand Gandhi and Chiki Doshi, the custodians of the brand and restoration experts.

The chairs were arranged chronologically to showcase seating traditions in India from pre-colonial to contemporary times, and highlighted global art movements that became popular in the country. Their designs also opened a window into the colonial invasions of India between the 16th and 19th Centuries by the Dutch, Portuguese, French and the British.

"When they came to India, they brought their furniture with them and also commissioned Indian artisans to design chairs and other items that replicated European designs they were familiar with," says Vivek Gandhi, co-curator of the exhibition.

"That's why India possesses an interesting mix of chairs that are very British or European in design or blend Indian and Western aesthetics," he adds.

Over the years, many of these chairs found their way into homes, estate sales, old furniture shops or private collections, from where the curators sourced them, Gandhi says.

When the chairs reach him and his father Anand, they are usually in bad shape with torn cushions and missing legs. The old chairs are then painstakingly restored with the help of skilled craftsmen, a process that can take months.

One chair in the collection, which is covered with ceramic beads and was sourced from an estate sale in Gujarat, took eight months to restore, Gandhi says.

Another interesting item in the collection was a rare lounge chair designed by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, who was invited to India in the 1950s by then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru to help design Chandigarh city. There were also several 19th Century chairs in the Anglo-Portuguese style sourced from Goa, which was once a Portuguese colony.

The exhibition also spotlighted India's diverse range of high-quality hardwoods such as teak, rosewood and ebony, and the country's deeply-rooted traditions of intricate handcrafting by local artisans.

Here are some of the chairs that were part of the exhibition:

Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook.

Comment on Post

Leave a comment

If you have a News Orbit 360 user account, your address will be used to display your profile picture.


The National Testing Agency (NTA) has postponed the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET-UG) 2026 examinations scheduled for May 28 in both
Education
CUET-UG exams scheduled for May 28 postponed due to Bakrid

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has postponed the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET-UG) 2026 examinations scheduled for May 28 in both shifts following a change in the Bakrid holiday date. The agency said revised examination dates for the affected candidates will be announced

1 days ago

<h4>President Nikos Christodoulides present, Cyprus positions itself as Europe gateway for HT Labs, other Indian AI
Business
Cyprus positions itself as Europe gateway for HT Labs

President Nikos Christodoulides present, Cyprus positions itself as Europe gateway for HT Labs, other Indian AI firmsRepresenting HT Labs, the innovation and technology arm of HT Media Group, Avinash Mudaliar, Co-Founder and CEO, participated in discussions. Updated on: May 25

1 days ago

The Delhi Gymkhana Club has moved the High Court against the Union government’s order directing it to hand over its 27.3-acre premises by June 5
World
Delhi Gymkhana moves High Court against Centre’s eviction order

The Delhi Gymkhana Club has moved the High Court against the Union government’s order directing it to hand over its 27.3-acre premises by June 5, Live Law reported on Monday. The matter was mentioned before Justice Avneesh Jhingan on Monday by advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi

1 days ago

<b>Strains of the old
Sports
Spurs avoid humiliation but elation of fans will soon turn to anger

Strains of the old "Glory, Glory" anthem echoed inside the giant stadium as Tottenham Hotspur stepped back from the precipice of the most humiliating relegation in Premier League history. Spurs players and supporters were in unison at last as they could finally look forward to next season as a

1 days ago

Australian cricketer Megan Schutt will conclude her international career after the 2026 T20 World Cup. The seasoned bowler aims for a strong finish in her
Sports
Australia's Megan Schutt to make T20 World Cup her final ICC campaign

Australian cricketer Megan Schutt will conclude her international career after the 2026 T20 World Cup. The seasoned bowler aims for a strong finish in her final major ICC campaign. Schutt, a veteran of many successful tournaments, wants to pass the baton to the next generation of players

1 days ago

<h4>The Japanese fruit ‘sando’ is becoming India’s favourite summer dessert; take a look</h4><h4> With fluffy milk bread
Latest News
The Japanese fruit ‘sando’ is becoming India’s favourite summer dessert

The Japanese fruit ‘sando’ is becoming India’s favourite summer dessert; take a look With fluffy milk bread, clouds of whipped cream, and jewel-like slices of fresh fruit tucked inside, the Japanese sando has become India’s go-to dessert Updated on: May 25

1 days ago

<h4>Madhuri Dixit serves ‘a little bit of drama’ as she gives classic white saree a modern twist with chic jacket</h4><h4>Madhuri Dixit
Life Style
Madhuri Dixit serves ‘a little bit of drama’ in classic white saree

Madhuri Dixit serves ‘a little bit of drama’ as she gives classic white saree a modern twist with chic jacketMadhuri Dixit proves age is just a number as she stuns in ivory saree with floral prints, layered with a sleek jacket, blending elegance with modern drama. Published on: May 25

1 days ago

<h4>Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard: Where is slain mom's family now? What to know as crime drama streams</h4><h4>The release of
Latest News
The Murder of Heidi Broussard: Where is slain mom's family now

Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard: Where is slain mom's family now? What to know as crime drama streamsThe release of Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard on Netflix has brought the 2019 murder case in focus again. Know where the slain mom's family is. May 25, 2026

1 days ago

Crude oil prices plunge after US and Iran have shared significant signals on the progress in talks to end the war, however both sides are still at loggerheads
Latest News
Crude Oil Rates Tumble as US-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Grows

Crude oil prices plunge after US and Iran have shared significant signals on the progress in talks to end the war, however both sides are still at loggerheads on certain issues. Global oil prices have plunged over 5.5% after US and Iran have indicated that there is significant progress in their

1 days ago

Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.<h4>From office work to AI tasks: The
Technology
Asus ExpertBook P3 vs Snapdragon AI PCs

Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.From office work to AI tasks: The best Asus ExpertBook P3 and Snapdragon PCs to consider in 2026AI laptops are everywhere in 2026, but only a few actually improve daily work

1 days ago

LeBron James has spent more than two decades rewriting NBA history. On Sunday, though, one of his most remarkable streaks finally came to an end
Sports
LeBron James’ Historic 21-Year All-NBA Streak Comes To An End

LeBron James has spent more than two decades rewriting NBA history. On Sunday, though, one of his most remarkable streaks finally came to an end. For the first time since his rookie season in 2003-04, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar was not named to an All-NBA team

1 days ago

<h4>Priyadarshan on Paresh Rawal's exit from Hera Pheri 3: ‘Not aware’</h4><h4>Hera Pheri 3 faces turbulence as Paresh Rawal reportedly
Entertainment
Priyadarshan on Paresh Rawal's exit from Hera Pheri 3

Priyadarshan on Paresh Rawal's exit from Hera Pheri 3: ‘Not aware’Hera Pheri 3 faces turbulence as Paresh Rawal reportedly leaves the film, returning his signing fee. May 25, 2026, 13:38:45 IST Written by Vibha Maru Share via Copy link The controversy around Hera Pheri 3 doesn’t seem to end

1 days ago

BJD Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray has resigned from the party. He cited systematic belittlement as the reason for his departure
Politics
Another setback for BJD as Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray quits

BJD Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray has resigned from the party. He cited systematic belittlement as the reason for his departure. This follows similar exits by other Rajya Sabha MPs. Samantaray expressed gratitude to party chief Naveen Patnaik for past opportunities

1 days ago

<h4>Prashant Kishor to finally contest an election himself? Jan Suraaj Party targets Bankipur, via an ashram</h4><h4>Kishor is bullish on
Latest News
Prashant Kishor to finally contest an election

Prashant Kishor to finally contest an election himself? Jan Suraaj Party targets Bankipur, via an ashramKishor is bullish on Bankipur, and claimed that only the Jan Suraaj Party can defeat the BJP there. "We just need to field a strong candidate," he said. Updated on: May 25

1 days ago

It’s been almost five months since Ranveer Singh’s exit from Don 3 sparked controversy. Now, as the dispute between Farhan Akhtar and the actor continues
Entertainment
Ranveer Singh-Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3 Controversy

It’s been almost five months since Ranveer Singh’s exit from Don 3 sparked controversy. Now, as the dispute between Farhan Akhtar and the actor continues, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has finally intervened, announcing that its decision on the matter will be revealed

1 days ago

Even George Russell’s biggest critics would probably admit one thing right now: the Briton’s luck this season has been brutal. And standing beside his
Sports
George Russell’s Nightmare Season Strikes Again

Even George Russell’s biggest critics would probably admit one thing right now: the Briton’s luck this season has been brutal. And standing beside his stricken Mercedes in Montreal on Sunday night, Russell looked completely drained by it all. After opening the season with victory in Shanghai

1 days ago

Turn a classic, creamy tiramisu into a refreshing summer treat by swapping coffee for juicy mango and layering it with fresh fruit and light mascarpone cream
Life Style
Give The Classic Tiramius A Summer Twist With This Mangomisu Tiramisu Recipe

Turn a classic, creamy tiramisu into a refreshing summer treat by swapping coffee for juicy mango and layering it with fresh fruit and light mascarpone cream. This mango‑infused version keeps the dessert’s rich, custard‑like texture but adds a bright

1 days ago

As Cannes Film Festival closes, which are the acclaimed films from this year's crop that could be heading for Academy Award nominations?</b> If you want
Life Style
The nine Cannes films set to be Oscar contenders

As Cannes Film Festival closes, which are the acclaimed films from this year's crop that could be heading for Academy Award nominations? If you want to know which films are going to be nominated for Oscars, it's worth looking at what premiered at the Cannes Film Festival the previous May

1 days ago

Delhi Capitals' IPL journey concluded with a sixth-place finish. Coach Hemang Badani cited inconsistent play and missed opportunities as reasons for the team's
Sports
DC paid the price for not seizing crucial moments

Delhi Capitals' IPL journey concluded with a sixth-place finish. Coach Hemang Badani cited inconsistent play and missed opportunities as reasons for the team's failure to reach the playoffs. Crucial losses, dropped catches, and batting collapses hampered their campaign

1 days ago

<h4>3 elephant calves die within 17 days in Chhattisgarh’s Dharamjaigarh</h4><h4>Eight elephant calves have died in Dharamjaigarh forest
Latest News
3 elephant calves die within 17 days in Chhattisgarh’s Dharamjaigarh

3 elephant calves die within 17 days in Chhattisgarh’s DharamjaigarhEight elephant calves have died in Dharamjaigarh forest division over the past five months due to drowning, getting trapped in marshland, etc Published on: May 25, 2026 1:27 PM IST By Ritesh Mishra Share via Copy link Three

1 days ago

<b>The Canadian Grand Prix was the race in which the Formula 1 title battle finally came alive this year.</b> It was also, however
Sports
The title battle finally came alive - then Antonelli took control

The Canadian Grand Prix was the race in which the Formula 1 title battle finally came alive this year. It was also, however, the race in which it took a potentially decisive turn, putting a huge dent in George Russell's hopes of beating his 19-year-old Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli to the

1 days ago

<h4>CBSE Class 12 answer sheet scanned copies application window ends today, direct link here</h4><h4>CBSE Class 12 answer sheet scanned
Education
CBSE Class 12 answer sheet scanned copies application window ends today

CBSE Class 12 answer sheet scanned copies application window ends today, direct link hereCBSE Class 12 answer sheet scanned copies application window will close today, May 25, 2026. The direct link to apply is given here. Published on: May 25

1 days ago

<h4>Microsoft techie couple in Noida breaks down ₹1.6 lakh monthly expenses, says city feels balanced despite rising costs</h4><h4>A
Latest News
Microsoft techie couple in Noida breaks down ₹1

Microsoft techie couple in Noida breaks down ₹1.6 lakh monthly expenses, says city feels balanced despite rising costsA Microsoft couple in Noida revealed they spent around ₹1.6 lakh monthly while balancing work, lifestyle and family needs. Published on: May 25

1 days ago

A CBSE Class 12 student has raised serious concerns over the board’s re-evaluation process after claiming the Physics answer sheet uploaded under his roll
Latest News
This Is Not My Handwriting

A CBSE Class 12 student has raised serious concerns over the board’s re-evaluation process after claiming the Physics answer sheet uploaded under his roll number does not belong to him. The student shared comparisons of multiple answer sheets and demanded an urgent investigation into the alleged

1 days ago

Thyroid disorder cases have been gradually rising over the past few years, especially in younger adults and the younger working generations
Life Style
World Thyroid Day

Thyroid disorder cases have been gradually rising over the past few years, especially in younger adults and the younger working generations. Even though genes and autoimmune disorders play a role, the way we live our lives is becoming a reason for thyroid problems. We speak to Dr Aravind Badiger

1 days ago

<h4>Sandhu finishes T-63, Sterne wins after gap of 13 years</h4><h4>Sandhu finishes T-63, Sterne wins after gap of 13 years</h4>
Sports
Sandhu finishes T-63

Sandhu finishes T-63, Sterne wins after gap of 13 yearsSandhu finishes T-63, Sterne wins after gap of 13 years Published on: May 25, 2026 1:47 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Rinkven , Indian golfer Yuvraj Sandhu endured a difficult final day to finish T-63 at the Soudal Open here

1 days ago

<h4>Cardiologist reveals the real cause of heart attacks that most people overlook and it’s not just ‘bad cholesterol’</h4><h4>Could
Life Style
Cardiologist reveals real cause of heart attacks and it’s not just cholesterol

Cardiologist reveals the real cause of heart attacks that most people overlook and it’s not just ‘bad cholesterol’Could your gut health be affecting your heart? A cardiologist explains how inflammation, poor sleep, stress, and unhealthy habits may raise heart attack risk. Published on: May 25

1 days ago


Sing Up