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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1937.19
Title
Recto: Prince Khurram and Companions Visit a Hindu Sage; verso: Poem 37 by Hafiz penned and signed by Mir `Imad al-Hasani
Classification
Albums
Work Type
album folio
Date
1604, 1609
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India
Period
Mughal period
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216626

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
Dimensions
46.7 x 30.7 cm (18 3/8 x 12 1/16 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Grenville L. Winthrop, Class of 1886
Accession Year
1937
Object Number
1937.19
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
The recto side of this folio features a painting depicting Prince Khurram, the future Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1627-1658). He sits on his knees with his hands clasped in front of him and faces a Hindu saint (sadhu). The holy man’s long hair and beard, as well as his legs bound in a yogic pose, suggests that he is a member of the ascetic Nath order. Naths believe that through yoga and its meditational exercises, they can achieve moksha (liberation) of the soul or even immortality. The Naths theological openness allowed association with non-Hindus, such as the Muslim Mughals. A stream divides the foreground, with two of Prince Khurram’s attendants on either side. In the background is a church steeple. The painting is surrounded by an illuminated border decorated a variety of animals in gold.

On the reverse, there are three specimens of calligraphy in signed by master of nasta`liq script, `Imad al-Hasani known as Mir `Imad (1554-1615). The top specimen is in prose and the two vertical parts are both ghazal no. 37 by the Persian poet Hafiz Shirazi. It is probable that the left specimen is a copy of Mir `Imad's original calligraphy on the right, which was done out of respect (naql). They both carry Mir `Imad's signature and are dated 1018 H (1609-10), Isfahan (right); and Shawwal 1012 H (March 1604) (left).

The text is contained within “clouds” that are set against gold ground decorated with small, colorful flowers. The verso side bears a border of blue paper with gold painted flowers.

Publication History

  • Studies In Islamic and Later Indian Art From the Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Harvard University Art Museums, Harvard University Art Museums (Cambridge, MA, 2002), page 29 & 37/figure 5 & 8b

Exhibition History

  • Sewn Together With Peace of Mind, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 03/29/1997 - 06/08/1997
  • Divinely Inspired: Images of Mystics and Mendicants, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 01/16/1999 - 03/29/1999
  • Re-View: S231 (Islamic rotation: 3) Sacred Spaces: The World of Dervishes, Fakirs and Sufis, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 08/06/2009 - 01/03/2010
  • 32Q: 2590 South and Southeast Asia, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/02/2016 - 04/26/2017
  • A Colloquium in the Visual Arts, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 08/27/2022 - 12/30/2022

Related Works

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu