Akbar tiger-hunting near Narwar (left half)

Basawan and Sarwan’s Akbar (c. 1590–1595) for the Akbarnama depicts a tense moment from one of Akbar’s hunting expeditions near Narwar. Akbar has just been attacked by a tigress, and here, in this half of the double page, his companions are shown dealing with her cubs, while the emperor appears on the adjoining page. What’s interesting about the scene is the way the artists have made a short incident in the imperial chronicle into something full of movement and emotion. The animals and figures are closely packed, so the encounter seems sudden and dangerous. But at the same time the careful details of the landscape and the clothing of the figures anchor the scene within the context of the Mughal court. But the significance of Basawan as designer is particularly marked, since he was known for his powerful compositions and his interest in naturalistic detail. The painting also reminds us that the Akbarnama was not only a record of events. These images helped to form the memory of Akbar’s life and deeds. The king remains the story’s focus even in a hunting scene; the action around him serves his presence and authority.

In this artwork, there is a very active depiction of Akbar on a tiger hunt in the area of Narwar. In my opinion, it is not just a typical hunting painting but rather a representation of the power, fearlessness, and authority of the Mughal ruler. Akbar is depicted in the middle of the highly dynamic scenery, which is crowded by hunters, animals, horses, elephants, and rocks. Moreover, this picture includes all kinds of very realistic details and colorful figures, making the whole hunt look like a well-organized royal event. The presence of a large number of attendants only adds to the representation of Akbar as a king, who is surrounded by people and can use their services. On the other hand, the conflict between people and wild animals demonstrates the relationship between royal power and nature. Therefore, this painting conveys the message of bravery, leadership, control, and the high status of the emperor. What I find particularly fascinating about this artwork is its crowdedness and dynamics.