The Purification of the Kukur Talaoa near Nagor
- Object:
- Place of origin:
India (north, possibly, made)
Pakistan (possibly, made)
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Kesav Kalan (composition, artist)
Chatarmuni (colours and details, artist)
- Materials and Techniques:
Opaque watercolour and gold on paper
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
- Download image
This illustration from the Akbarnama shows the cleansing and purification of Kukar Talao (the local water tank) at Nagar, Rajasthan in 1570 by order of the emperor Akbar. After the cleaning, the water tank was renamed Shukr Talao or Thanksgiving Tank. This image is the left-hand side of a double picture (the other half is IS.2:83-1896), which shows Akbar watching on horseback followed by his retinue.
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
Depicts cleansing and purification of Kukar Talao (water tank) at Nagar, Rajasthan in 1570 by order of the emperor Akbar. It is the right side of a double illustration. The left side (IS.2:83-1896) illustrates Akbar watching the cleaning process.
Place of Origin
India (north, possibly, made)
Pakistan (possibly, made)
Date
1590-1595 (painted)
Artist/maker
Kesav Kalan (composition, artist)
Chatarmuni (colours and details, artist)
Materials and Techniques
Opaque watercolour and gold on paper
Marks and inscriptions
Tarh Kesav Kalan
amal Chatarmuni Composition by Kesav Kalan
Work [ie painting] by Chatarmuni
Object history note
The Akbarnama was commissioned by the Emperor Akbar as the official chronicle of his reign in 1589 and was written by Abu'l Fazl between 1590 and 1596. The illustrations were being done as the author wrote and revised his work, and were completed by 1595. 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 John Clarke, who bought it while serving as Commissioner of Oudh, India betyween 1858 and 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 third book of the Akbarnama. 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
The purification of the Kukur Talaoa near Nagor, Rajasthan. Painting from the Akbarnama, ca.1590-1595.
Associated names
Fazl, Abu'l
Production Note
Composition by Kesav Kalan, colours and details painted by Chatarmuni.
Attribution place is likely to be Delhi, Agra or Fatehpur Sikri.
Materials
Gold
Techniques
Painting; Contour drawing
Subjects depicted
India; Pakistan
Categories
Paintings
Collection code
SSEA
