Prince A'zam Shah Enters Ahmedabad

Chitarman II (Kalyan Das)

ca. 1701 · Color and gold on paper · Islamic Art

This is a rare and majestic drawing, depicting the historic occasion of Prince Azam Shah’s entry into the city of Ahmedabad along with his son Wala Jah. The scene is captured in enthusiastic detail, with hundreds of figures that capture the variety and drama of the moment, including an unruly mob who scramble to get the coins that have been tossed to them. No other drawing of quite this type is known so this can be considered unique, in size, subject matter and detail, rendered with a confident hand. This sense of clarity of line and detailed reportage is greatly valued in Mughal art and here we see it at full strength, not covered up by color.

Artist

Chitarman II (Kalyan Das)

Date

ca. 1701

Medium

Color and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Howard Hodgkin Collection, Purchase, Florence and Herbert Irving Acquisitions and 2020 Benefit Funds; Howard S. and Nancy Marks Gift; Louis V. Bell, Harris Brisbane Dick, Fletcher, and Rogers Funds and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest; The Mossavar-Rahmani Fund for Iranian Art and funds from various donors, 2022