The Tiered Court Scene is one of the prominent artworks of the 18th century by eminent artist Chitarman II also known as Kalyan Das. He is known for portraits of Mughal emperors and the Mughal court, and was patronised by Muhammad Shah.
This artwork is dated to circa 1735 AD and is made on paper from ink, gum tempera and gold. Several Hindu deities can be seen in the artwork. In the upper left corner, Lord Rama is depicted along with his army and Hanuman defeating Ravana and his asuras . On the right, Sita is shown captures in a massive golden palace which is guarded by several of Ravana’s soldiers. In the middle of the artwork, several deities including Lord Ganesha, Brahma and Vishnu are depicted enjoying music. Women are depicted flying kites. In the bottom section, Lord Krishna is depicted playing Holi with several women and presumably Radha by his side. Two women are depicted applying red colour on each other.
The artwork is extremely detailed, made in at least three tiers. All the figures have a calm, serene expression. Muhammad Shah’s interest in Hinduism is reflected in this painting. The vibrant colours in the painting complement the lively scenes depicted. The artworks of Chitarman II in general show a fusion of Indian motifs such as the floral patterns seen in the borders with Persian stylistic elements.
Tiered Court Scene portrays scenes of divine celebration, devotion, and heroism from Hindu mythology. By arranging different events in layered sections, Kalyan Das connects earthly joy with sacred narratives, emphasizing harmony, righteousness, and the close relationship between the human and divine realms.
