Portrait of the Elephant 'Alam Guman

Bichitr

ca. 1640 · Opaque watercolor and gold on paper · Islamic Art

Persian inscription (in nasta'liq script in gold cartouche, possibly in Shah Jahan’s hand): "Likeness of 'Alam Guman Gajraj [the arrogant one of the earth, king of elephants] whose value is one lakh [a hundred thousand rupees]" Along with seventeen other elephants from Mewar, this famous tusker was presented to the Mughal emperor Jahangir during the New Year celebrations of March 21, 1614. In his memoirs, Jahangir states: "on the second day of the New Year, knowing it propitious for a ride, I mounted ['Alam Guman] and scattered about much money." Elephants were among the prized possession of the Indian courts, and their portraiture falls into the larger Mughal practice of meticulously recording the treasures of the court.

Artist

Bichitr

Date

ca. 1640

Medium

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1996