Artwork
Khan Kilan
Khan Kilan is a paint painting by the Mughal Painting artist Miskina. It dates from 1592 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This painting illustrates a pivotal 1572 episode from the Mughal conquest of Gujarat, as recorded in the Akbarnama.
About this work
This painting shows a Mughal general named Khan Kilan riding a white horse. His soldiers follow in a line. The scene happens during a battle in 1572.
One envoy pretends to talk, then stabs Khan Kilan in the shoulder. His men rush forward to help. The artist used bright colors to show the chaos.
See this painting at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This painting illustrates a pivotal 1572 episode from the Mughal conquest of Gujarat, as recorded in the Akbarnama. It depicts the attempted assassination of Khan Kilan, commander of the vanguard, during a march through Rajput territory.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures the moment an envoy of Rajput chief Man Singh Deohra stabs Khan Kilan, prompting his soldiers to intervene and kill the attacker. This event highlights the complexities and dangers of Mughal expansion.
Technique & Style
Executed by Kesav Khord (Kesav the Younger) from a design by Miskina, the painting features vibrant colors to convey the chaos of the incident, characteristic of Mughal court art’s blend of precision and emotional intensity.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by Emperor Akbar for his official chronicle, this illustration is part of the earliest illustrated Akbarnama (c. 1592–1595), initially housed in Akbar’s library, then inherited by his son Jahangir.
Context
Created during a peak of Mughal artistic patronage, the work reflects the empire’s literary and visual documentation efforts, with artists credited in red ink, signifying its status as a royal commission.
Legacy
Now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the painting provides a unique visual window into 16th-century Mughal politics and artistry, contributing to the historical record of Akbar’s reign.
Artist & collection
Artist
Miskin (c. 1560 - c. 1604), also known as Miskina, was a Mughal painter in the court of Akbar I. The name 'Miskin' itself is a pen name. Miskin is recorded by the historian and grand vizier of Akbar, Abu'l-Fazl, in a…
