Rani Durgavati
1592
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1592
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Rani Durgavati is a 1592 paint by Kesav, a Mughal Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows Rani Durgavati on horseback, dressed in armor, fighting bravely in battle. She holds a sword and shield while her loyal elephant charges beside her. The scene is dramatic but calm, with soft colors and detailed armor. Kesav made this for the Akbarnama, a book about Emperor Akbar’s life. It tells her true story. She ruled alone for years and died protecting her land. Check out another painting by Kesav in the same book.
This Mughal painting by Kesav from the Akbarnama depicts the death of Rani Durgavati, ruler of Garha Katanga, during her battle against the Mughal forces led by Abdul Majid Asaf Khan. She is shown at the center-left, wounded by arrows but continuing to fight before taking her own life to avoid capture. The scene is part of a double-page illustration, with text panels extending from the left margin, and is overlaid with Persian inscriptions. The manuscript, commissioned by Emperor Akbar, was illustrated between 1592 and 1595 by skilled court artists, including Kesav and Jagannath.
Read the full account in the museum source.
These small, jewel-toned paintings show Mughal nobles and a warrior queen frozen in rich detail: Mu'nim Khan rests beside Khan Zaman in one, while Rani Durgavati stands firm in another.
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