The king of Bahilistan offers his daughter to the King of Kings, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventh Night

The work illustrates a narrative episode from the seventh night of a Tuti‑nama, a collection of parrot‑told tales. A royal delegation is gathered around a checkered object, with figures in vivid red, blue, white and a red hat, set against a richly colored backdrop of green, purple and blue that suggests an interior or palace setting.

The scene depicts the king of Bahilistan presenting his daughter to the supreme ruler, a motif drawn from the story’s diplomatic marriage proposal. The gestures, one figure pointing to the object, another holding it, convey the exchange of a symbolic token, emphasizing themes of alliance and tribute within the tale.

Executed in a miniature painting tradition, the piece employs fine brushwork to render intricate textile patterns and architectural details. A bright, saturated palette heightens the visual drama, while the flat, decorative background and stylized figures reflect the conventions of Persian manuscript illustration.

Tuti‑nama illustrations often served both decorative and didactic purposes, visualizing moral lessons embedded in the parrot’s stories. This particular episode underscores the political significance of marriage alliances in the region’s historical narratives.