Of all the Great Mughals it was probably the Emperor Jahangir (r.1605-1627) whose vivid and accurate descriptions of several birds and animals undoubtedly present him as a keen observer of nature and indicate his desire for realistic expression.

Apart from jewelled falcons a large number of pictures of birds and animals were drawn at the Emperor's command.

Jahangir's particular fascination with falcons can be observed in a painting of a "Falcon on a perch" by Nadir ul'Asr Ustad Mansur (Goloubew Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) which the Emperor commissioned in 1619, where he passionately wrote "What can I write of the beauty and colour of this falcon? There were many beautiful black markings on each wing, and back, and sides. As it was something out of common, I ordered Ustad Mansur, who has the title of Nadir ul'Asr to paint and preserve it's likeness"