BY NUR MUHAMMAD, MUGHAL INDIA, 1594 AD

Details

The building for King Dasaratha's sacrifice
By Nur Muhammad, Mughal India, 1594 AD
Folio 27 recto (p. 53), gouache heightened with gold on paper, in the centre ground the figures of Brahmins studying the ancient texts with manuscripts and writing implements around them, other figures similarly engaged on the roof tops behind and above them, signed by the artist Nur Muhammad in a cartouche on the frieze, two lines of black nasta'liq within panels, verso with 18ll. of text within red and gold outlines
Miniature 14 x 8¼in. (35.4 x 21cm.); text area 9½ x 5½in. (23.7 x 13.8cm.)

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Lot Essay

This miniature represents the preparation for the Vedic sacrifice of the childless King Dasaratha in the hope of producing offspring. The verso dwells on the decoration of the walls with paintings, rather than on the sacificial pit which is found in the original Sanskrit version. This remarkable miniature is a wealth of extraordinarily fine detail. The centre is dominated by the group of Brahmins seated in an alcove reading the ancient texts. A young prince seated on the left may represent Vishnu attending the sacred rite. The miniature also has considerable rich architectural detailing, notably the colourful roof tops and tiling and the fine wall-painting of cranes.
It is the only miniature in the manuscript to be signed by an artist. His name is Nur Muhammad, and it is contained wihtin one of the star- shaped tiles above the young prince's head.

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