Ali Quli, Bahadur Khan and Akbar
1592
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1592
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Ali Quli, Bahadur Khan and Akbar is a 1592 paint by Kesav Kalan, a Mughal Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows rebel leaders bowing before Akbar on a grassy field. The brothers Ali Quli and Bahadur Khan kneel as Akbar stands firm, hands on his sword. It’s part of the Akbarnama, Akbar’s official life story. The book was written by his friend and advisor, Abu’l Fazl. Court artists like Kesav Kalan made colorful scenes to show Akbar’s power. This scene was meant to impress viewers. Look up Kesav Kalan to see more of his work.
This opaque watercolour and gold-on-paper illustration by Kesav Kalan is the left half of a double-page composition from the Akbarnama, depicting the 1561 submission of rebel brothers Ali Quli Khan and Bahadur Khan to Akbar at Karah. Commissioned by Akbar as the official chronicle of his reign, the manuscript was written by Abu'l Fazl between 1590 and 1596 and illustrated by at least 49 court artists between about 1592 and 1594. After passing through the libraries of Akbar’s successors Jahangir and Shah Jahan, it was purchased in 1896 by the Victoria and Albert Museum from the estate of…
Read the full account in the museum source.
Painted around 1590–95, these delicate Mughal portraits show Emperor Akbar and his court in full color and gold leaf.
See the richer artist page
