Details Title: The Elderly Akbar Receives Murtaza Khan

Creator: Manohar

Date Created: c.AD 1600

Physical Location: Dublin, Ireland

Location Created: India

Original Source: Chester Beatty, Dublin

Rights: © Trustees of the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin 

Collection Number: CBL In 34.2 The Elderly Akbar Receives Murtaza Khan Manoharc.AD 1600

The Mughal rulers of India were avid patrons of painting, in particular portraiture.

Even in officially commissioned paintings, Akbar (r. 1556–1605) was at times depicted rather humbly, as he is here, simply dressed and minus the accoutrements and paraphernalia of royalty included in the painting of his great-grandson Awrangzib.

Bowing before Akbar is Murtaza Khan, his valued paymaster. His grandson Prince Parviz stands next to him while another grandson, Prince Khurram (the future emperor Shah Jahan), gestures towards a seated poet.

These fine portraits are the work of Manohar, one of the favoured artists of the Mughal court.