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  1. Collection/
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  3. Vabhru-vahana
Vabhru-vahana, Abdullah, 1616-1617
AAbdullah

Vabhru-vahana

1616-1617 · Painting

May one see it?

Not receiving at present

Victoria and Albert Museum

London, United Kingdom

It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.

Checked
12 days ago
In this state since
Sep 25, 2026
Source
The museum
On the mapMuseum page

About the painting

This page once belonged to an illustrated manuscript of the Razmnama, or Book of War, the Persian translation of the great Hindu text, the Mahabharata, that describes the epic battles between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The translation from Sanskrit was made by order of the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1582 and was largely accomplished by about 1586. Here, Arjuna's son Babhruvahana is shown in the nether regions trying to seize the gem that will restore his father to life. It is guarded by serpents that must be vanquished.

The painting is signed by the artist Abdullah, and dated 1025/20 January 1616-8 January 1617.

Victoria and Albert Museum

Particulars

Accession number
IS.25-1958

More by Abdullah

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Museum page

On the same theme · Hero

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What it shows

HeroSnakesGemBabhruvahana

In the catalog

PaintingsGouacheBaroque17th centuryMughalMughal empire

Sources

  • Victoria and Albert Museum
  • Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Painting, Abdullah, ca. 1616

Painting

ca. 1616 · Not on view · Victoria and Albert Museum

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Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister

Layla adn Majnun, late 18th century

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Iskandar, ca. 1600

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The Return of Haiwatha, Houghton, ca. 1855-1871

Houghton

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Not on view · Victoria and Albert Museum

Painting, mid 19th century

Painting, mid 19th century

Not on view · Victoria and Albert Museum

Iskandar, ca. 1600

Iskandar, ca. 1600

Not on view · Victoria and Albert Museum

Nala and Damayanti, ca. 1760 - ca. 1770

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Not on view · Victoria and Albert Museum

Nala, ca. 1760 - ca. 1770

Nala, ca. 1760 - ca. 1770

Not on view · Victoria and Albert Museum