The Emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan with Their Ministers and Prince Dara Shikoh

Chitaraman

1 of 4

Object Label

This group portrait was made for the emperor Shah Jahan, who ruled from 1627 to 1658. It shows four generations of the Mughal dynasty in a gathering that never actually took place. Shah Jahan (at the right) receives a falcon—an emblem of imperial authority—from his grandfather, Akbar, who was considered the greatest of the Mughal emperors. Shah Jahan\'s father, Jahangir, against whom he had rebelled, sits to the side, holding a different falcon. Meanwhile, Shah Jahan\'s favorite son, Dara Shikoh, stands beside him as intended heir. The image illustrates the dynastic lineage, while revealing that Shah Jahan preferred to think of himself as his grandfather\'s heir.

Caption

Chitaraman Indian. The Emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan with Their Ministers and Prince Dara Shikoh, ca. 1630–1640. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 22 x 32 in. (55.9 x 81.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Asian Art Council in memory of Stanley J. Love, 1994.42. No known copyright restrictions (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.42_IMLS_SL2.jpg)

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

Asian Art

Title

The Emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan with Their Ministers and Prince Dara Shikoh

Date

ca. 1630–1640

Dynasty

Mughal Dynasty

Geography

Place made: India

Medium

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Classification

Painting

Dimensions

22 x 32 in. (55.9 x 81.3 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of the Asian Art Council in memory of Stanley J. Love

Accession Number

1994.42

Rights

No known copyright restrictions

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