Artwork
Sultan Adam
Sultan Adam is a paint painting by the Mughal Painting artist Tulsi. It dates from 1592 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The book this came from, the Akbarnama, tells Mughal history.
This painting shows a battle scene from 1563. The Mughal army fights Sultan Adam’s men in Punjab. Bright armor and flags fill the scene. Clouds of dust rise as horses charge forward.
One detail stands out: the three artists who worked on it. Tulsi, Bhawani, and Sanwala each added their touch. The book this came from, the Akbarnama, tells Mughal history.
If you like this style, check out Tulsi’s other work.
Overview
This painting illustrates a pivotal event in Mughal history: the 1563 conquest of Sultan Adam of Gakkhar by the imperial Mughal army, led by Qutb ud-Din and Sharif Khan, in the Panjab region (now north-east Pakistan). The artwork is an illustration from the Akbarnama, the official chronicle of Emperor Akbar's reign.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts the battle's intensity, with the Mughal army overpowering Sultan Adam's forces. The victory marked a significant achievement, as the Gakkhars' territory had previously withstood all attempts at conquest by rulers of Hindustan, as highlighted by Abu'l Fazl, the Akbarnama's author.
Technique & Style
The painting features vibrant armor, flags, and dynamic horse charges, set against a backdrop of rising dust clouds. The collaboration of three skilled court artists—Tulsi, Bhawani, and Sanwala—contributed to the work's distinctive style, characteristic of the early illustrated versions of the Akbarnama.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by Akbar, the Akbarnama was written by Abu'l Fazl between 1590-1596 and illustrated around 1592-1595. This copy, believed to be the earliest illustrated version, was part of Akbar's, then Jahangir's, and later Shah Jahan's library. The V&A acquired it in 1896 from Frances Clarke, whose husband, Major General John Clarke, purchased it in India.
Artist & collection
Artist
Tulsi painted delicate scenes from the Mughal court in the late 1500s. His brush traced Akbar’s hunts, portraits, and battles—like *Sultan Adam* and *Akbar assists in capturing a cheetah*—full of fine fabrics and sharp…
