Painting

The emperor Shah Jahan is depicted standing facing left holding a fly whisk. Two birds of paradise swoop above his head. The painting is signed by the court artist Balchand, and ascribed to him in black in the narrow border below the emperor's feet.

The folio which has a panel of illuminated calligraphy on the other side (IM.112a-1921) was bequeathed with other loose folios by Lady Wantage in 1921. Some of the paintings are genuine works of the reigns of Jahangir (1605-1627) and Shah Jahan (1628-1656). Others were believed to be of the same period but were identified by the great Indian scholar Moti Chandra as copies of 17th century works, probably done in about 1800.