Krishna and Raja Bhishmaka
Painting
ca. 1590 (made)
ca. 1590 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Mughal emperor Akbar (r. 1556-1605) had major Sanskrit texts translated into Persian, the language of the court and of the elite of the empire. This page is from a dispersed illustrated translation of the Harivamsa, the life of Krishna appended to the Mahabharata, and was done in about 1590. The painting was later added to an album and given decorated borders, probably in Lucknow in the 18th century.
In this episode, Krishna has decided to marry and discovered a ceremony had been arranged in which Rukmini, the daughter of Raja Bhishmaka of Vidarbha, would choose a husband. Krishna appeared among the assembled princes and was courteously received but due to the plotting of Krishna's enemies, the ceremony was not held. When Rukmini was eventually betrothed to another king, Krishna abducted her.
In this episode, Krishna has decided to marry and discovered a ceremony had been arranged in which Rukmini, the daughter of Raja Bhishmaka of Vidarbha, would choose a husband. Krishna appeared among the assembled princes and was courteously received but due to the plotting of Krishna's enemies, the ceremony was not held. When Rukmini was eventually betrothed to another king, Krishna abducted her.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Krishna and Raja Bhishmaka (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Painted in opaque watercolour and gold on paper |
| Brief description | Painting, Harivamsa , Krishna received by Raja Bhishmaka, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, probably Lahore, ca. 1590 |
| Physical description | Painting, in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, depicting Krishna visiting the court of Raja Bhishmaka at Kundavipura. Illustration to the Harivamsa. |
| Dimensions |
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| Content description | Krishna visiting the court of Raja Bhishmaka at Kundavipura. |
| Style | |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by the Hon. Dame Ada Macnaghten |
| Object history | Bequeathed by the Hon. Dame Ada Macnaghten |
| Production | The borders are later, probably added in Lucknow in the 18th century |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The Mughal emperor Akbar (r. 1556-1605) had major Sanskrit texts translated into Persian, the language of the court and of the elite of the empire. This page is from a dispersed illustrated translation of the Harivamsa, the life of Krishna appended to the Mahabharata, and was done in about 1590. The painting was later added to an album and given decorated borders, probably in Lucknow in the 18th century. In this episode, Krishna has decided to marry and discovered a ceremony had been arranged in which Rukmini, the daughter of Raja Bhishmaka of Vidarbha, would choose a husband. Krishna appeared among the assembled princes and was courteously received but due to the plotting of Krishna's enemies, the ceremony was not held. When Rukmini was eventually betrothed to another king, Krishna abducted her. |
| Associated object | IS.4:2-1970 (Verso) |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.4-1970 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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