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Painting - A Mughal prince riding the elephant Mahabir Deb
  • A Mughal prince riding the elephant Mahabir Deb
    Unknown
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A Mughal prince riding the elephant Mahabir Deb

  • Object:

    Painting

  • Place of origin:

    India (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1630 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Watercolour, ink and gold on paper

  • Museum number:

    IM.23-1928

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

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This drawing of an elephant was probably done in about 1630 at the Mughal court and is identified by a Persian inscription written by emperor Shah Jahan. It records that the animal's name is Mahabir Deb, that it had been presented to the emperor by 'Adil Khan, and that it was worth 300,000 rupees. The Bijapuri ruler sent regular tributes of money and valuable goods, including elephants, to the Mughal emperor.
An inscription on the back identifies the prince riding the elephant as Dara Shokuh, Shah Jahan's son. There are various seals on both sides of the painting; the earliest is dated 1643-4.

Physical description

The animal walks to the left, guided by a young Mughal prince who sits on the elephant's neck, holding a gold ankus in his right hand. The elephant wears a gold saddle cloth with a pattern of scarlet tulips. The head band, tassel, and crupper chain are also painted gold. Beneath the stomach is the inscription written by the emperor Shah Jahan.

Place of Origin

India (made)

Date

ca. 1630 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Watercolour, ink and gold on paper

Marks and inscriptions

Likeness of Mahabir Deb, which formerly had the name Khush Khan. The gift of 'Adil Khan. Value 300,000 rupees

Dimensions

Height: 31 cm, Width: 37 cm

Object history note

The drawing was given by Robert Scott Greenshields, fomerly of the Indian Civil Service. He was educated at Birkenhead School and appointed to the ICS after his examination in 1877. He arrived in India on 9 December 1879 and served as assistant magistrate and collector; trs to Assam in March 1882; assistant commissioner March 1886. Officiated as director of land revenue and agriculture 1889; deputy commissioner, Nov 1890; magistrate and collector in Bengal, Nov 1897; retired February 1910. See RP 28/5472

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.93, no.72.

Exhibition History

Gifts of the Sultan: The Arts of Giving at the Islamic Courts (Los Angeles County Museum of Art 05/06/2011-31/12/2011)

Subjects depicted

Jewellery; Elephant; Prince; Mahabir Deb

Categories

Paintings

Collection code

SSEA

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Qr_O73760
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