In this page of the Akbarnama the emperor Akbar is depicted on horseback receiving his sons homage at the royal city of Fathhpur ('City of Victory', and later known as Fathepur Sikri) after his victorious campaign in Gujarat in 1573.
The Akbarnama was commissioned by the emperor Akbar as the official chronicle of his reign. It was written by his court historian and biographer Abu'l Fazl between 1590 and 1596 and is thought to have been illustrated between about 1592 and 1594 by at least 49 different artists from Akbar's studio. After Akbar's death in 1605, the manuscript remained in the library of his son, Jahangir (r. 1605-1627) and later Shah Jahan (r.1628-1658). The Victoria and Albert Museum purchased it in 1896 from Mrs Frances Clarke, the widow of Major-General John Clarke, who bought it in India while serving as Commissioner of Oudh between 1858 and 1862.
Physical description
Right half of double page IS.2:111-1896. Depicts Akbar's victorious return to Fathpur Sikri after his campaign in Gujarat. Akbar enters a courtyard followed by his entourage bearing spears and is greeted by his three sons, including Salim, his eldest.
The image is overlaid by a band of text which extends from the upper left hand margin of the picture.
Place of Origin
India (north, possibly, made)
Pakistan (possibly, made)
Date
1590-1595 (painted)
Artist/maker
Kesav Kalan (composition, artist)
Nar Singh (colours and details, artist)
Materials and Techniques
Opaque watercolour and gold on paper
Marks and inscriptions
tarh Kesav Kalan
amal Nar Singh Composition by Kesav the Elder
Work [ie painting] by Nar Singh
Dimensions
Height: 31.5 cm painting, Width: 18.4 cm painting
Object history note
The Akbarnama was commissioned by the Emperor Akbar as the official chronicle of his reign. It was written by his court historian and biographer Abu'l Fazl between 1590 and 1596, and d illustrated between 1590 and 1595 by at least forty-nine different artists from Akbar's studio. After Akbar's death, the manuscript remained in the library of his son, Jahangir. The Victoria and Albert Museum purchased it in 1896 from Mrs Frances Clarke, the widow of Major General Clarke, who bought it in India while serving as Commissioner in Oudh province from 1858 to 1862.
Historical significance: It is thought to be the first illustrated copy of the Akbarnama. It drew upon the expertise of some of the best royal painters of the time, many of whom receive special mention by Abu'l Fazl in the A'in-i-Akbari. The inscriptions in red ink on the bottom of the paintings refer to the artists and indicate that this was a royal copy.
Descriptive line
Akbar's victorious return to Fatehpur Sikri. Painting from the Akbarnama, ca. 1590-1595.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Susan Stronge, Painting for the Mughal Emperor. The Art of the Book 1560-1650, V&A Publications, 2002, pl. 27, p. 43.
Associated names
Fazl, Abu'l
Production Note
Composition by Kesav Kalan, colours and details painted by Nar Singh.
Attribution place is likely to be Delhi, Agra or Fatehpur Sikri.
Materials
Paper; Watercolour; Gold
Techniques
Painting; Contour drawing
Subjects depicted
Akbar; Fatehpur Sikri; Jahangir, Salim (Emperor)
Collection code
SSEA
