Drawing

This drawing of an elephant was probably done in about 1630 at the Mughal court and is identified by a Persian inscription written by emperor Shah Jahan. It records that the animal's name is Mahabir Deb, that it had been presented to the emperor by 'Adil Khan, and that it was worth 60,000 rupees. The Bijapuri ruler sent regular tributes of money and valuable goods, including elephants, to the Mughal emperor.

An inscription on the back identifies the prince riding the elephant as Dara Shokuh, Shah Jahan's son. There are various seals on both sides of the painting; the earliest is dated 1643-4.