Title:

Equestrian portrait of Bahadur Shah. c.1516-1712

Dimensions:

42 x 28 cm (folio dimensions) | RCIN 1005068.ac 

Description:

An equestrian portrait of Emperor Bahadur Shah, c.1707-12. Emperor Bahadur Shah (r. 1707-1712), the third son of Alamgir, rode a grey stallion. The painting is full of allegorical symbols asserting the legitimacy of the emperor's rule: His head is surrounded by a green aureole, the upper half of which is bordered by a golden hue from the sun, the lower by a crescent moon, indicating his overlordship of the world both by day and by night. Tucked into his gold patka is a dagger with a jewel-encrusted jade handle and attached to his saddle is a quiver with a bow. One hand grasps the horse's reigns while the other holds a key, a symbol of unlocking the secrets of the two worlds, hidden and manifest. Behind him on foot are attendants holding the aftabi (sunshade) and a morchal (fly-whisk). Above him, a pair of angels in the sky carry a chatr (parasol), while another pair on the right hold the Mughal throne. To the right is the Sufi Saint Khwajah Khizr standing on a fish offering the sword of state to the emperor. Beside him in the sea are faint depictions of four boats on the water. All of the objects depicted are the traditional Mughal imperial symbols which suggest this might have been painted in commemoration of Bahadur Shah's coronation.

People involved

Creator(s)

Sultan Ali Mashhadi (active 1453-1519)

(calligrapher)

Mughal artist (artist)

Acquirer(s)

George III, King of the United Kingdom (1738-1820) 

Subject(s)

Bahadur Shah (r. 1707-1712)

Physical properties

Measurements 42 x 28 cm

(folio dimensions) 32.7 x 23.3 cm

(image) 23.5 x 9.0 cm (panel)

Groupings Category Manuscripts

Object type(s)

printed & manuscript material manuscripts calligraphy visual works paintings

Subject(s)

Arts, Recreation, Entertainment & Sports Art Paintings Paintings-Indian school Miniatures (paintings, oil/watercolor)

Places

Asia India Language, Linguistics and Literature Literature Poetry References Alternative

Mughal Library