Qutb ad-Din Khan and Muhammad Husain Mirza
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Watercolor |
| Current Location: | V&A Museum, South Kensington |
| Location History: | 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. |
The Mughal style of painting emerged in India with the arrival of the Mughals and developed under their subsequent rulers. These paintings were mainly created as commissioned artwork for manuscript illustrations and miniatures. Many painters gained prominence during this time; one of them was Lal. This painting, composed by Lal for the Akbarnama (book of Akbar), depicts the victory of the army led by Qutb ad-Din Khan and Azim Khan over the rebels Muhammad Husain Mirza and Sher Khan Fuladi at the Battle of Patan in Gujarat, north-west India, in 1572. Many Mughal soldiers can be seen riding on horseback, battling the rebels with bow and arrow in hand, along with spears and shields. The two leaders leading the army can be seen at the back, riding on elephants. Through the details in the artwork, the backdrop of the scene can be clearly understood.
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