The Nilgai also known as the Blue Bull is one of the most common antelope species found in Northern and Central India as well as Eastern Pakistan. The painting of the Nilgai is a careful study by Ustad Mansur, as he spotted it in Jahangir's zoological garden. Jahangir's interests in flora and fauna have largely been accorded importance by the Mansur.
The painting is known to have a great detailing to it, in the sense that there is a distinct swirl of hair where the neck meets the entire body of the animal as well as the broken horn. The background seems to make no reference to the habitat of the Nilgai. The borders of the painting are filled with intricate calligraphy work, in Persian language with the name of the artist. The painting has been dated back to the time 1620 when various paintings among the natural scene were prominent.
This particular painting is part of a larger folio of Shah Jahan. This particular folio originally consisted of 50 leaves which also included illuminated pages and calligraphy. The calligraphy in the painting has been attributed to Mir Ali Haravi who is known to have first practiced his art at Herat and then at Bukhara.
Ustad mansur has painted many other animals in his painting journey. His most notable one was the bird pet Jahangir had. As he was fond of animals, painting them in a realistic and exact way, made the paintings even precious to hold onto. The simplicity yet stripping off the natural background from the animal made the focus entirely on the animal itself.
