Artwork

Page of disasters, from the Tarikh-i Alfi (History of a Thousand Years)

Page of disasters, from the Tarikh-i Alfi (History of a Thousand Years) is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1595 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This illustrated page from the Tarikh-i Alfi (History of a Thousand Years) manuscript combines text with descriptive painting, depicting scenes related to the Islamic pilgrimage site, Mecca, and incorporating a notable anachronistic element.

Subject & Meaning

The page prominently features the Ka‘ba, the sacred black stone structure in Mecca, highlighting its significance as the endpoint of the Islamic pilgrimage (Hajj). The scene also alludes to a period of drought in Mecca during a caliph's persecution of Shi‘ites, symbolized by dry fountains and water being carried for sale.

Technique & Style

The painting employs a distinctive framing technique, wrapping illustrative elements around the central text blocks. The style is characteristic of the Mughal school, marked by detailed, miniature-like depictions of figures, architecture, and daily life.

History & Provenance

Notably, the page includes the name 'Akbar' within a book held by a devotee, an unusual substitution for expected prayers or Qur'anic text. This suggests a potential connection to the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who ruled India during the manuscript's creation.

Context

Created during a time of religious tension (as hinted by the reference to Shi‘ite persecution), the manuscript page reflects the complex religious and political landscape of the era, blending sacred Islamic imagery with imperial Mughal influence.

Legacy

As part of the Tarikh-i Alfi, this page contributes to the historical and artistic record of Mughal-era manuscript illumination, offering insights into the period's religious, political, and aesthetic practices.