"Hamid Bhakari Punished by Akbar", Folio from a Manuscript of the Akbarnama. Folio from the Davis Album

Author Abu'l Fazl Indian
 Painting attributed to Manohar

Not on view

Written by the courtier Abu'l Fazl between 1589 and 1598, the Akbarnama chronicles the life of the emperor Akbar, including details on His Majesty’s affairs ranging from the issuing of edicts to his daily diet. The focus of this painting appears to be a royal hunting expedition, but in the lower left corner one finds the true subject: the courtier Hamid Bhakari stripped to his underclothes and forced to ride backwards on a donkey, a humiliation for an offense committed again the emperor. This painting is one of eight folios from the so-called "Chester Beatty Akbarnama" in the Davis album.

"Hamid Bhakari Punished by Akbar", Folio from a Manuscript of the Akbarnama. Folio from the Davis Album, Abu'l Fazl (Indian, Agra 1556–1602 Deccan Plateau), Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

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