This time back with an interesting anecdote from the pages of history.
The topic deals with "Battle on Boats" - followed by "Surrender" - leading to some DEDUCTIONS.
Intro:
For those who got confused with title of this thread:
" NauSenas and Nazranas " ---> that means, "Navy and Gifts".
While reading Akbarnama, i came across an interesting event.😊
So, thought of doing more digging and to my amazement found 3 paintings from Akbarnama associated with the event.
I am describing them one by one.😊
I have tried to deduce some points from these paintings.
Description of Event:
Asaf Khan was a wazir to Akbar. He was also a highly effective military leader but, for reasons that are NOT given in Akbarnama, kept treasure that the Mughal forces had seized during a successful campaign in 1565, against the Uzbeks. He tried to flee with his supporters across the river Ganga, where Akbar's forces, led by the his famous general Shuja'at Khan, caught up with him. A fierce battle ensued, depicted in this illustration, but Asaf Khan escaped. In 1567, he sent messengers to the Mughal court asking for forgiveness, which was granted.
Physical description
Painting, in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Shuja'at Khan pursuing Asaf Khan on the river Ganga. The image shows the two boats filled with weapon bearing men confronting each other.
'Tarh Tulsi Kalan/Amal Jagjivan' 'composition by Tulsi the Elder/ work by Jagjivan
Dimensions
Height: 32 cm, Width: 19.4 cm
Date of painting
1592-96
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The following 2 paintings were present OPPOSITE to each other in Akbarnama left and right.
Illustration 2
This is the left side of a double-page composition from the Akbarnama. The overall
composition was designed by Miskina, one of the greatest artists of the
Mughal court, with the details on this half being painted by Bhagwan.
Together, they depict Akbar receiving
spoils of war from his general Asaf Khan in Jaunpur in 1565.
Akbar's encampment is shown outside the walls of a fort on a river bank. Asaf Khan brought the rarities of the region
for the emperor, and presented him with elephants, and fine horses from
Iran and Turkey. These animals are depicted on the other side of the
composition.
Painting, in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, left half of double picture. Depicts Akbar receiving spoils of war. Akbar sits on a travelling throne inlaid with ivory beneath a red canopy outside the walls of a fort on a riverbank.
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Illustration 3
This is the right side of a double-page composition designed by Miskina,
one of the greatest artists of the Mughal court. The details were
painted by Nanha. Together with previous one, the paintings
depict Akbar encamped next to the river
Ganga. From 1565 to 1567, there were sporadic uprisings by Uzbeks in
the eastern provinces of the empire. He took the field in May 1565 and
succeeded in driving the rebels out of the territory. When Akbar
encamped at Jaunpur during the campaign, he was joined by his leading
general Asaf Khan(in previous picture) and other officers, who presented the emperor with
rare gifts taken from the region during their campaign, and with horses
and elephants from Iran and Turkey.
Painting, in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, right side of a double picture, Akbar receiving homage and gifts from Ali Quli Khan Zaman. Depicts animals being brought out of a fortified city for presentation to Akbar. In two upper windows, woman watch. Gifts and covered trays are held by servants who move towards the emperor.
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Historical Note:
Akbarnama was commissioned by Akbar as the official chronicle of
his reign. It was written in Persian by his court historian and
biographer, Abu'l Fazl, between 1590 and 1596, and this partial
copy of manuscript is thought to have been illustrated between
about 1592 and 1595. This is thought to be the earliest illustrated
version of the text, and drew upon the expertise of some of the best
royal artists of the time.
Many of these are listed by Abu'l Fazl in the A'in-i Akbari, Volume 3, and some of these names
appear in these illustrations, written in red ink beneath the
pictures. These were for royal use, made for Akbar.
After his death, the manuscripts remained in the library of his son
Jahangir(1605-27), from whom it was inherited by Shah Jahan(1628-58).
After this, regarding the whereabouts of Akbarnama, etc. royal documents, i could not get the DOCUMENTATION, though they must be in Mughal libraries only. (but atleast i could not locate, despite trying hard to find their location.)
Remember Aurangzeb(1658-1707).?.?.😉..
Finally, Victoria & Albert Museum purchased many manuscripts in 1896 from Frances Clarke, the
widow of Major General John Clarke, who bought it in India while
serving as Commissioner of Awadh between 1858 and 1862.
Many Mughals libraries, after the first war of Independence, in 1857, were taken over by the British Authorities, and later manuscripts from these were sold off to foreign museums, etc.
Regarding Boats, etc. :
BTW, it's a known fact that Akbar was fond of boat rides. And, after capturing Gujarat also, he went on a boat, and for the first time saw the vast Indian Ocean, i.e., Arabian Sea.😉..
(Remember "Nauka-Vihar of Akbar and his Ameri Mirchi."😉)
Even an artificial lake was constructed in FS.😉
(for multiple purposes)
Also, remember the Anup Talao in FS, used for repose purposes.😉
Following picture shows young Akbar, going from Delhi to Agra, in a boat, somewhere in 1562.
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Note::
Also, during the siege of Gujarat (1572-73), boats were used for
specific purposes. Later, Todar Mal, while moving to suppress rebel in
Bengal during the rebellion of 1580-81, is said to have used boats. Finally, for Man Singh, it is said that, he even went to an extent to start preparing a navy to attack Sri Lanka,😲 while he was in Bengal. But, was recalled by Akbar. Various historians have seen this step as a blunder, coz Mughals could have developed a well-organized navy, by this.This is described as a lack on their part. Because after this, Portuguese disturbed Jahangir a lot, as they had well equipped navy. Another version says that, he retreated back as Sri Lanka had connection with Lord Ram.(explained on page-5).
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Do peep in. With your views regarding these questions.!.😊...
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I made this thread for mutual discussion. Would like to have your views on following issues. Before your views, i pen down my deductions:
1. Does the presence of ladies in the portraits speaks something of women's position in that era ? We have seen several illustrations from Akbarnama till now. posted by many members on the forum. Did you analyze them carefully ? Many of them had presence of women in the court ALSO. And, this picture depicts a war-conclusion scene and STILL, HERE ALSO, we have women's presence. I feel this is contrary to the opinion which many share about women in that era. Coz here the painter is exclusively painting them, ALSO, along with other persons. We also know, after defeat of Mirza Hakim, at the hands of Man Singh, Akbar handed over the reigns of Kabul in the hands of Hakim's sister. What do you feel regarding this issue...?...?...
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One of the facts is that queens also got spoils of war. And, "Nazraanas"😉, after the conclusion of a battle. BTW,
there is also an interesting anecdote that, Man Singh, after winning a
battle in Kabul / Lahore(can't recollect exactly the war), expressed
desire to first dedicate the spoils of war to his aunt, MUZ.😉 Also, she used to receive a jewel from each nobleman, on the New Year Festival.
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2. Also, about the expertise of the painters of those times, that
in an illustration of a size comparable to 20x30 cms, they could
display such fine scenes, with delicate details.??..👏
3. Would also like to hear about the destruction / losses of historical treasures at the hands of various agencies..?.?..
4. Also, regarding the fight on boats.?? This was interesting.
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"Battle ON Boats" - "Surrender" - "DEDUCTION😉" - From Akbarnama
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This was another lighter topic to kick-start a new thread. But, from these pictures and info above we can start a good discussion .!. There are many people here who are familiar with these paintings and the depth, which each portion of these paintings describe.
Few Questions here have been the ones which are a part of our discussion for a lot of time. Would like to know your views for this.😊
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