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

The calligrapher employed a bold, black ink that varies in density, creating a visual emphasis on particular words that are underlined or otherwise highlighted. Large, flowing letters dominate the surface, while the thin red border provides a subtle decorative frame without competing with the script.

Commissioned for Prince Salim, a member of the Mughal royal family, the folio exemplifies the patronage of manuscript production in the early modern Persianate world. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art through acquisition in the 20th century, where it remains on view for scholarly and public study.

During the period of its creation, illustrated manuscripts such as the *Tuti‑nama* served as vehicles for literary transmission across the Persianate courts of South and Central Asia. The emphasis on text over illustration in this leaf reflects a specific functional purpose—perhaps a personal copy for the prince’s private reading.