Akbar and Asaf Khan

About this work

This painting shows the Mughal emperor Akbar sitting in a tented camp beside a river. His grand vizier, Asaf Khan, kneels before him, holding a sword. The scene is calm but full of quiet power. This smaller half of a two-page spread was painted by Nanha, one of Akbar’s top artists. The other half, by a different hand, shows Akbar’s army in motion. Together, they tell a story of control and loyalty. Look up Nanha to see more of his work.