Timur (1336–1405), the Central Asian ruler from whom the Mughals were descended, sits in the centre of this allegorical painting handing the imperial crown to the founder of the Mughal dynasty, Babur (r.1526–1530), who is seated to his right. On his left is Babur’s son Humayun, the second Mughal emperor (r.1530–1540 and 1544–1545), who briefly lost the throne and was forced into exile in Iran. All are seated on jewelled thrones beneath parasols, an emblem of royalty. Before them stand their chief ministers, all identified in minuscule Persian inscriptions: on the left is Bayram Khan, with Mirza Shah Rukh and Mirza Rustam in the middle and on the right respectively.
The painting was done for a later Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (r.1628–1658), perhaps to mark his accession. It came from a group of paintings now divided between the V&A and the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, popularly known as the ‘Minto Album’ from its association with a former owner, Lord Minto.
Physical description
Painting, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Timur sits in a jewelled throne at the centre, handing the Timurid crown to Babur on his right, watched by Babur's son and successor Humayun on his left. Their respective chief ministers stand before them.
Place of Origin
India (possibly: Mughal, made)
Pakistan (possibly: Mughal, made)
Date
ca. 1630 (made)
Artist/maker
Govardhan (maker)
Materials and Techniques
Painted in opaque watercolour and gold on paper
Marks and inscriptions
'Work of Govardhan'
Dimensions
Height: 29.5 cm painting only, Width: 20.4 cm painting only, Height: 38.5 cm page, Width: 26.1 cm page
Object history note
The folio is from a group of paintings acquired at auction in 1925 where they were sold as "The Minto Album" and subsequently divided between the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin and the V&A.
Descriptive line
Painting, emperors Timur, Babur and Humayan, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, ca. 1630
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Swallow, Deborah and John Guy eds. Arts of India: 1550-1900. text by Rosemary Crill, John Guy, Veronica Murphy, Susan Stronge and Deborah Swallow. London : V&A Publications, 1990. 240 p., ill. ISBN 1851770224, p.58/59, no.40. Jaffer, A. Furniture from British India and Ceylon: a catalogue of the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Peabody Essex Museum. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2001. ISBN 1 85177 318 5.p.108, fig.35.
Susan Stronge, ed., The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms, V&A Publications, 1999, cat. 24, p. 21.
Susan Stronge, Painting for the Mughal Emperor. The Art of the Book in India 1560-1650, V&A Publications, 2002, pl. 112, p. 150.
Skelton, R in The Indian Heritage. Court Life and Arts under Mughal Rule, V&A, 1982, cat. 52, p. 41, ISBN 0906969263..
Exhibition History
The Indian Heritage: Court Life and Arts under Mughal Rule (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1982-31/12/1982)
The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms (01/01/1999-31/12/1999)
Materials
Paper; Gold; Opaque watercolour
Techniques
Painted
Subjects depicted
Crown; Throne; Rulers; Babur; Humayun; Timur
Categories
Royalty; Paintings
Collection code
SSEA
