Shah-Jahan honouring Prince Dara-Shukoh at his wedding (12 February 1633) / Bulaqi, son of Hoshang. c. 1635 - 1650
Painting in opaque watercolour including metallic paints. | 38.8 x 24.1 cm (image) | RCIN 1005025.aa
Bulaqi
Master: Padshahnamah ?????????? (The Book of Emperors) ?? Item: Shah-Jahan honouring Prince Dara-Shukoh at his wedding (12 February 1633) / Bulaqi, son of Hoshang c. 1635 - 1650
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Padshahnamah fol. 125r
(plate 26)
The second of two facing paintings depicting the Sihra bandi ceremony for Prince Dara Shukoh’s wedding at the Agra Fort on 12 Feb 1633. This image shows the courtiers, musicians and singers involved in the event.On the upper terrace overlooking the river stands the head of the imperial guard, a mullah, a man holding a Quran, and others involved in the ceremony. The figure second from the left is a self-portrait of the artist, Bulaqi, who holds a paintings folder which he signed ‘the work of the lowliest of the houseborn, Bulaqi, son of Hoshang’.
On the terrace below are male musicians and singers, including what are likely to be portraits of the famous kalavants (singers) Lal, Jaganath and Khoshhal. Behind them, men hold trays of gifts for the prince covered in fine textiles.
Bibliography:
Milo Beach and Ebba Koch, King of the world : the Padshahnama, an imperial Mughal manuscript from the Royal Library, Windsor Castle, 1996
Saqib Baburi, Beyond the Akbarnamah: Padshahnamahs and Official Regnal Chronography for Shah-Jahan Padshah (r. 1037/1628-1068/1658), 2010.Provenance
Illustration from a Padshahnamah manuscript formerly in the Mughal imperial library and acquired by Asaf al-Dawlah, Nawab of Awadh, c.1780-90; presented by Saadat Ali Khan, Nawab of Awadh, to George III via Lord Teignmouth in June 1799.
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Creator(s)
(illustrator)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Painting in opaque watercolour including metallic paints.
Measurements
38.8 x 24.1 cm (image)
58.2 x 36.8 cm (page dimensions)
Category
Alternative title(s)
Shah-Jahan honouring Prince Dara-Shikoh at his wedding (12 February 1633) / Bulaqi, son of Hoshang.
