SIGNED ‘ABD AL-RAHMAN, MUGHAL, KASHMIR, DATED AH 1000/1591-92 AD

During Akbar's reign, kashmir was under direct Mughal rule. He visited the valley in 1589, two years before the completion of our manuscript. Although our manuscript's calligraphy reflects the Indian style of nasta’liq, the illuminated headpieces throughout echo the Central Asian traditions of illumination which were continued by many royal schools and migrating artists well in to the early 17th century. The heart shaped tri-lobed leaves along with the use of black, deep red and bright green as the three main colours besides gold, on a rich lapis lazuli ground is one of the telling features of such illuminations. For a similar example of illumination see Christie’s, London, 26 October 2017, lot 85.