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47    Second Day

FRAMED INDIAN MINIATURES,

CHIEFLY DELHI WORK OF THE 17TH CENTURY, ILLUSTRATING THE LIVES OF THE EARLIER MOGHUL EMPERORS.

Exhibited at The Festival of Empire and Imperial Exhibitions, Indian Court, Crystal Palace. 

381 A ROYAL DURBAR of Amir Taimur (Tamerlane), who reigned 1370-1405. The Emperor seated in a pavilion in the court of his palace; the picture mounted on a border of gilt floral design; by a 15th century artist

382 AKBAR THE GREAT (1556-1605), seated in a pavilion built in the branches of a tree within his palace grounds, and connected with the palace by a bridge, with musicians, etc. in attendance; mounted on a coloured border splashed with gold; on the reverse side a specimen of fine caligraphy [[calligraphy]]
*** Probably a very early portrait as the Emperor is not shaven. 

383 ELEPHANTS FIGHTING: Two hobbled elephants, with mahouts and others urging them on, clutching each other with their trunks; one of the sports that was much appreciated by Akbar, who sometimes acted as a mahout himself; figured border, with a fine piece of illuminated writing on the back

384 THE BIRTH OF MIRZA SALIM (A.D. 1569), eldest son the Akbar the Great, afterwards Jahangir. Scene outside the door of the birth chamber, the Astrologer casting the horoscope of the future Emperor; on a blue border with gilt lilies and other flowers; at the back an illuminated manuscript

385 PRINCE MIRZA SALIM as a boy with his tutor in a pavilion within the walled court of a castle; mounted on paper splashed with gold; an interesting miniature showing Persian influence

386 PRINCE SULTAN SALIM receives a summons to visit the Emperor, his father, but declines; a fine miniature of the Akbar period, with gilt flowers on a yellow border; at the back an illuminated manuscript

387 THE EMPEROR JAHANGIR (1605-1627) receiving the Persian Envoys. After Jahangir has succeeded his father, the Persians, who had thought of invading India, sent a mission to ascertain what manner of man the new Emperor might be. The Emperor received them, holding a tiger under each arm
*** A large and important painting, illuminated with gold.