Artwork

The siege of Arbela in the era of Hulagu Khan, page from a Chingiz-nama (Book of Chingiz Khan) of the Jami al-tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles) of Rashid al-Din (Persian,1247–1318)

The siege of Arbela in the era of Hulagu Khan, page from a Chingiz-nama (Book of Chingiz Khan) of the Jami al-tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles) of Rashid al-Din (Persian,1247–1318) is an unspecified painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Basawan. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

You see a crowded battle scene: a Mongol leader on a white horse stares down a defeated enemy, while soldiers and horses fill the background.

You see a crowded battle scene: a Mongol leader on a white horse stares down a defeated enemy, while soldiers and horses fill the background.

This painting was made 300 years after the battle it shows. Artists in Akbar’s court were blending history with new, lifelike details—faces, movement, even dust clouds. The diagonal layout pulls your eye through the chaos.

To see more like this, look up mughal india, court of akbar (reigned 1556–1605).

Overview

This painting depicts a battle scene from the Mongol conquests, illustrating a page from the Jami al-tavarikh, a historical compendium by Rashid al-Din.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows a Mongol leader on a white horse confronting a defeated enemy, set against a backdrop of soldiers and horses, representing an event that occurred centuries before its creation.

Technique & Style

The composition is characterized by a diagonal layout, a crowded and dynamic scene, and a naturalistic style that emphasizes three-dimensionality and lifelike details, such as facial expressions and movement.

Context

Produced in the court of Akbar, this painting reflects the era's emphasis on illustrating historical texts with detailed and realistic images, marking a significant development in Mughal painting.

Artist & collection

Artist

Basawan

Basāwan, or Basāvan, was an Indian miniature painter in the Mughal style. He was known by his contemporaries as a skilled colorist and keen observer of human nature, and for his use of portraiture in the illustrations…