Rejoicing at birth of Prince Salim

This is an illustration from the Akbarnama (autobiography of the Mughal ruler Akbar) dated between 1590 and 1595 AD. It is attributed to Kesava Kalan, also known as Kesu Kahar and Kesu Das. The colours and details are painted by Dharmdas, another prominent artist in Akbars’s court. This painting portrays the joy among the people of the court upon the birth of Akbar’s son, prince Salim. He was Akbar’s third son. The ruler had lost two of his sons shortly after birth and was worried about not having an heir to the throne. In despair and hope he visited the Sufi Shaikh Salim Chishti at Sikri, who was considered a great mystic and was believed to have performed many miracles in his life. The Shaikh assured the ruler that his prayers would be answered. In 1569, Akbar’s wife Harkha Bai, also known as Mariam uz Zamani, the daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amer gave birth to a son at Sikri. Akbar followed an ancient tradition and met his son after a long delay. The painting gives a glimpse of the life at Court and joyous atmosphere after the royal birth. Akbar also laid the foundation of a new city at Sikri which is known as Fatehpur, or the city of victory. Inside the palace walls, a woman is shown holding the newborn Salim while other attendants tend to him. Besides him, a woman, presumably Harkha Bai is shown in her bedchamber as two attendants care for her. The tiles and carpet in the bedchamber are decorated with floral patterns. Outside in the terrace, a peacock is shown. In the central courtyard musicians are shown performing with joy. Outside the palace walls is a line of beggars waiting for the distribution of alms. Overall, the image shows an aerial view of the court. The image beautifully depicts various people of the royal court on the joyous occasion of the birth of their future ruler, Jahangir. The artist has chosen bright hues of reds, greens, oranges and blues to covey the feelings of joy and celebration. The attention to details by the artist be it the tiles in the bedchamber, the peacock, the decoration on the walls or the clothes is remarkable and characteristic of Mughal art.