Portrait of Murad Bakhsh (1624–61)

“Portrait of Murad Bakhsh (1624–61)” is a Mughal miniature attributed to the court painter Balchand, created around 1635 during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. Murad Bakhsh was one of Shah Jahan’s sons and later became involved in the struggle for succession to the Mughal throne. The painting presents him in a refined profile portrait, following the Mughal court tradition of carefully recording the appearance and status of members of the royal family. Murad Bakhsh is shown facing toward the right against a plain green background. He wears a striped orange turban decorated with a light-blue feather and a richly patterned white garment. In his right hand, he holds a small pink flower, which adds a delicate element to the otherwise formal portrait. Balchand pays close attention to the prince’s facial features, clothing, turban, and accessories, demonstrating the detailed observation characteristic of Mughal miniature painting. The portrait is surrounded by elaborate decorative borders containing floral and vine patterns in gold, blue, and red. The work was originally created as a “portrait jewel,” meaning that the miniature was set within a gemstone frame and intended to be worn by members or supporters of the Mughal court. It was later mounted onto an album page. This history shows how Mughal portraits could function not only as artworks but also as objects connected to royal identity, status, and personal loyalty.