Description
The portrait of Nadir Shah of Iran (r. 1736-47) was done in the north of the subcontinent, possibly in Delhi, and is signed by the artist, Muhammad Panah. Another version, also naming Muhammad Panah and dated 1742, is in the Bodleian Library in Oxford. The brilliant red of Nadir Shah's robe stands against the silvery grey background and pale blue rug to provide a powerful image of the man who swept into India from Iran in 1738 and looted the Mughal treasury in Delhi. He removed vast quantities of jewels (including the Koh-i nur diamond and the gem-incrusted throne of Shah Jahan, the 17th century Mughal emperor), and manuscripts from the royal library. The ruler and the artist are identified in the Persian inscription on the right, and a later inscription in Gurmukhi script on the back repeats Nadir Shah's name. The Account of Nader Shah first Exploits I have been favored with from a Gentleman vow in England, who resided several Tears in Persia, [peaks that Language , and has been frequently in Company with that Conqueror. The Journal of his transaction in India, with the Letters and Cession of the Provinces a were transmitted from Delhi, by the Secretary of Sirbullind Khan (whom Mohammed Nadir Shah had appointed to be one of the Commijponers for levying the Contributions) to. Mirza Moghul. Son to Ali Mahommed Khan at Ahmedabad ? who being my intimate Friend , gave it to me.