Mulraj, governor of Multan
1850
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Mulraj, governor of Multan is a 1850 paint by Unknown, a Patna School of Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This is a round portrait of a man with a long beard and a tall, colorful turban. His clothes are bright—reds, yellows, and greens—with shiny beads and embroidery along the edges. The background is plain and light, keeping all the focus on his face and outfit. The painting looks like it was done carefully, with soft brushstrokes that blend the colors together. The man’s face is slightly turned, giving a sense of movement. If you like this style, check out Realism next.
A miniature portrait on ivory depicts Mul Raj, the governor of Multan, shown as a prisoner in 1849. The work was donated to the museum in 1954 by the Central Council for the Care of Churches, though its origin and date remain undocumented. The painting entered the collection as part of a group of Sikh portraits, with W. G. Archer noting its relevance to that series. Mul Raj’s role in provoking the Second Anglo-Sikh War is the historical context for the portrait.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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