The prince being taken away for execution on the false complaint of the handmaiden, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night
1560
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1560
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
You see a prince in chains, guards dragging him toward a sword. A woman in fine clothes points at him, her face twisted. The king sits on a throne, watching. The prince took a vow of silence, so he can’t defend himself. The handmaiden lies to save her reputation. The painting shows the moment just before the execution—no blood, just tension. If you like this scene, look up *Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)*.
