f. 5 from a Mughal Album of portraits

recto:

Rubai by Jami written diagonally on sand coloured paper, the calligraphy enclosed in clouds. The two bayts are surrounded by panels of gold wash and have been pasted onto the pale sand coloured page. The surrounding area is decorated with floral decoration in gold.

گر در دل تو گل گذرد گل باشی / ور بلبل بی قرار بلبل باشی

تو جزوی و حق گلست گر روزی چند / اندیشه گل پيشه کنی گل باشی

verso:

Portrait of Mirza Kamran c.1600-1605

Mirza Kamran (1509-1557) was the second son of Emperor Babur and half brother of Humayun. He inherited the governorship of Kabul and Lahore from his father and was in a constant state of rivalry with his brother. Here he is depicted kneeling on a brown felt namda rug against a bolster cushion. In one hand, adorned with a black thumb ring, he holds a delicate inlaid white jade cup and, in the other, a dried poppy head, a reference to opium (poppy tea) drinking. From his patka hang two very slim daggers in decorated sheaths. He wears a turban with a tall, multi-faceted cap.

The face and upper body appear to have been over-painted in the eighteenth century.


For further information on this album see RCIN 1005038.