The items were presented to Edward, Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII, during his Indian tour of 1875-6.
The four-month tour, which included modern-day India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal, came after the proclamation of Queen Victoria as Empress of India.
The story of the tour is told through paintings, photographs and art works given to the prince.
He travelled 7,600 miles (12,231km) by land and 2,300 miles (3,701km) by sea and met over 90 rulers of the different regions he visited.
On his return from the four-month tour he arranged for the items to go on public display across Britain.
Splendours of the Subcontinent: A Prince's Tour of India 1875-76 runs at Cartwright Hall in Bradford from 11 March until the 18 June.
It will be shown at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery in Leicester from 8 July until 29 October.
A collection of rare Indian objects belonging to the Royal Collection are being shown in Bradford and Leicester.