f.30
Illustration from a manuscript of the Khamsah of Navai (see RCIN 1005032).

The two figures, a younger and older man, clasp hands at the centre of the painting, while a fierce frenzy of the soldiers and townspeople clash violently around them. The two men represent opposing sides of the combating groups and attempt to pacify a horse and its rider poised for onslaught. The futility of their actions is made evident by the slashed corpses of a disembowelled man and an infant at their feet. There are many horrific scenes including the soldier with dagger raised pulling a desperate woman by the hair and a small figure crouching under a tree beside the body of a man whose arms have been severed. 

The Mughal artist Mohan was employed in Emperor Jahangir’s painting atelier before and after his accession (see also RCIN 1005038.f). His father, Banwari, was also an artist, and predominantly a painter of battle scenes. Mohan evidently drew upon his father’s familiarity with Mughal arms and armour in this painting.