Led by Songhur Balkhi and Lulu the Spy, the Ayyars Slit the Throats of Prison Guards and Free Sa'id Farrukh-Nizhad

Indian

1 of 3

Object Label

The oversized manuscript known as the Hamza- Nama was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar (reigned 1556–1605). All of its paintings are on cloth, with Persian text written on paper glued to the reverse. The pages were probably displayed in storytelling performances. The Hamza-Nama is an adventure tale about the first generations of Muslims. This painting is typical of the series, with multiple figures in active stances set within a sumptuously decorated courtyard. The subject is a night raid on a prison, with the heroes killing their captors in order to free their comrades.

Caption

Indian. Led by Songhur Balkhi and Lulu the Spy, the Ayyars Slit the Throats of Prison Guards and Free Sa'id Farrukh-Nizhad, 1557–1572. Opaque watercolor and gold on cotton cloth, sheet: 30 7/8 x 24 1/2 in. (78.4 x 62.2 cm) image: 26 15/16 x 20 1/2 in. (68.4 x 52.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 24.46. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Culture

Indian

Title

Led by Songhur Balkhi and Lulu the Spy, the Ayyars Slit the Throats of Prison Guards and Free Sa'id Farrukh-Nizhad

Date

1557–1572

Dynasty

Mughal

Geography

Place made: India

Medium

Opaque watercolor and gold on cotton cloth

Classification

Painting

Dimensions

sheet: 30 7/8 x 24 1/2 in. (78.4 x 62.2 cm) image: 26 15/16 x 20 1/2 in. (68.4 x 52.1 cm)

Credit Line

Museum Collection Fund

Accession Number

24.46

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