ATTRIBUTABLE TO TARA OR NATHU, MEWAR, RAJASTHAN, CIRCA 1820

This scene illustrates the Rajput legend of the 12th century ruler Prithviraja III, known as Prithviraj Chauhan, and his overcoming of Muhmmad Ghori of Ghazna. According to the legend, after Prithviraj Chauhan was defeated in battle, captured and blinded he shot his rival dead with the assistance of the poet Chand Bardai. Another painting of the same scene, attributed to Tara and dated circa 1860, is in the Anil Relia collection of Indian paintings (Sonika Soni and Anil Relia, The Indian Portrait VIII: Rajputana Nayak, paintings from the Royal Courts in Rajasthan 1660-1940 CE, Ahmedabad, 2016, pp. 178-179).