Images (p. 14)

Image by Victoria & Albert Museum

Mughal Calligraphy & Ornamentation

Examples of illuminated calligraphy and ornamentation from two Mughal folios. Ink with opaque watercolour and gold on paper. The calligraphy is by Mir 'Ali, 16th century, Iran; borders, (left) about 1610 – 20, (right) c. 1630 – 50, Mughal...

Image by Victoria & Albert Museum

Mughal Zebra Painting

A zebra presented to the fourth Mughal Emperor Jahangir (1569-1627). Opaque watercolour and gold on paper, by Mansur, 1621, Mughal. Museum no. IM.23-1925. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Image by Victoria & Albert Museum

The Emperor Shah Jahan as a Prince

The third Mughal Emperor Akbar's (1540-1605) grandson Shah Jahan (1592-1666) as a young prince. He would become the fifth Mughal Emperor and hold the title of Shah Jahan the Magnificient. Opaque watercolour and gold on paper, by Abu'l Hasan...

Image by Victoria & Albert Museum

Elephants with Mythical Beasts

A Mughal painting showing mythical winged beasts surrounded by elephants. Line drawing with coloured wash, about 1610 – 20, Mughal. Museum no. IM.155-1914. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Image by Victoria & Albert Museum

The Martyrdom of Saint Cecilia

The Life of Christ was commissioned by the third Mughal Emperor Akbar (1540-1605) to be translated into Persian. This was part of a larger effort to encourage inter-religious understanding and cooperation. The Martyrdom of Saint Cecilia...

Image by Victoria & Albert Museum

Folio from the Harivamsa

The third Mughal Emperor Akbar (1540-1605) sought to quell tensions between the Hindu and Muslim communities of Hindustan. Seeking to engender religious harmony and tolerance, he commissioned the translation of major Sanskrit texts into Persian...

Image by Victoria & Albert Museum

Folio from Akbarnama

The third Mughal Emperor Akbar's (1542-1605) triumphant entry into the city of Surat. A detached folio from a copy of the Akbarnama - the book of Akbar which chronicles his life and reign. Opaque watercolour and gold on paper, by Farrukh...

Image by Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Goddess Bhairavi Devi with Shiva

A painting credited to Payag, a Mughal artist. The Hindu goddess Bhairavi, female counterpart to Shiva, is shown in demonic form. Beneath the goddess is a corpse. Bhairavi wears a skirt of human skulls and carries symbols of destruction...