Darbar of Alivardi Khan at Murshidabad's Court

Unknown

ca. 1750–1753 · Pigments and gold on paper · Islamic Art

The painting depicts the durbar, or courtly gathering of Alivardi Khan, (r. 1740–56) ruler of the Indian state of Murshidabad. Alivardi Khan is seated at center left, beneath a canopy in a courtyard. He is surrounded by thirty-three members of the court, including noblemen and attendants. The lower part of the painting depicts the area outside the courtyard wall, which contains another eleven figures, who are chatting and smoking huqqa. Most of the figures in the painting are identified by small inscriptions near their likeness.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1750–1753

Medium

Pigments and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Marie Swietochowski Bequest and Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, 2018