Portrait of Chuk the Wrestler

Unknown

ca. 1660–1675 · Ink, translucent watercolor, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

Pehlwani, a form of wrestling popular in South Asia, was developed during the Mughal Empire by combining centuries-old grappling traditions with Persian wrestling practice. The subject of this portrait has been identified as Chuk in nasta'liq script in the lower left. Chuk wears a loin cloth (langota) in the manner typical of Indian wrestlers. Although some of the lines in the lower part of the drawing appear to have been strengthened by a later hand, a fine brush is particularly visible on the wrestler’s aquiline nose, stubble, and tuft of hair at the crown of his head.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1660–1675

Medium

Ink, translucent watercolor, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, 2015