Untitled

The painting was executed by the court artist Bhura, who handled the overall design and application of pigment, while the facial portraits were rendered by the more celebrated painter Baswan. Fine brushes allowed intricate detailing of textiles, architecture and decorative elements, typical of Mughal miniature practice in the late 16th century.

The Akbarnama was commissioned by Akbar and compiled by his historian Abu’l‑Fazl between 1590 and 1596.

The Akbarnama was commissioned by Akbar and compiled by his historian Abu’l‑Fazl between 1590 and 1596. Illustrated between roughly 1592 and 1594 by a workshop of at least forty‑nine artists, the manuscript remained in the imperial libraries of Jahangir and Shah Jahan after Akbar’s death. In 1896 the Victoria and Albert Museum acquired the volume from Mrs Frances Clarke, who had obtained it in India during her husband’s tenure as Commissioner of Oudh.

Fatehpur Sikri, founded by Akbar as a new capital, served as a showcase of Mughal architectural and cultural ambition. The birth of a male heir was a politically significant event, prompting elaborate court ceremonies that were routinely recorded in official histories to reinforce the legitimacy of the ruling line.