Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page

The calligraphic text is rendered in a fine black ink using a reed pen, characteristic of Persian‑influenced scripts of the period. The uniform, curvilinear strokes reflect a disciplined hand, while the thin red line framing the page serves both decorative and protective functions, a common feature in high‑status books.

Commissioned for Prince Salim in the early 17th century, the manuscript remained within the Mughal court before eventually entering private collections. The page now resides in the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed alongside other surviving leaves from the same codex.

During the Mughal era, illustrated books combined literary content with lavish visual presentation to convey royal authority and cultural refinement. *Tales of a Parrot* exemplifies this tradition, merging Persian storytelling with Indian artistic conventions for a princely audience.