The V&A purchased the manuscript in 1896 from Frances Clarke, the widow of Major General John Clarke, who bought it in India while serving as Commissioner of Oudh between 1858 and 1862.
Sanwala, also known as Sanwala or Sanwal Das, was a Mughal Painter known for his illustrations in Akbarnama, Akbar's official chronicle on the reign of Akbar, commissioned by Akbar himself and Baburnama, the memoirs of Ẓahīr-ud-Dīn Muhammad Bābur, founder of the Mughal Empire. His art was greatly influenced by Persian miniature artists after serving in Akbar's and then Jehangir's court. He incorporated Indian elements and Mughal realism to create extremely detailed paintings, yet each element is clear when observed including iconography, such as ascetics and sacred landscapes.
Taken from the Akbarnama, this painting here depicts young Akbar (r.1556–1605) sitting on at a level above his subjects, depicting his power, along with his foster mother Mahamanga, witnessing the wedding celebrations of her son in 1561. By studying the seating placement of Mahamanga, one can understand her importance in the court of Akbar. She is not only placed beside the emperor, but is also the only one sitting except the Emperor himself. Details like these in the painting by the artist help us to understand the importance and position of each subject in his painting.
It is a matter of showcasing political dynamics: interestingly, the composition and perspective almost draws the eye away from the young ruler and his foster mother, perhaps to imply the separate class they, together, are a part of from the rest of the court around them.
