Painting

This depiction of an aged mulla was done by Farrokh Beg, an Iranian artist at the Mughal court. He arrived in Hindustan in 1585 and entered imperial service under the emperor Akbar (r.1556-1605). Two of his paintings are in the illustrated partial copy of the history of the reign now in the V&A.

His career in Hindustan has attracted a great deal of study, but facts concerning where he lived between about 1600 and about 1610 are scarce. This painting is inscribed in Persian in the recognisable hand of Jahangir (r.1605-1627): the work of Farrokh Beg in his 70th year.

The painting was inherited by Jahangir's son Shah Jahan on his accession, and new borders were added to it for inclusion in a royal album.