"Bahram Gur Advances by Stealth against the Khaqan," Folio 577v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
Painting attributed to Bashdan Qara Iranian
ca. 1530–35
Not on view
According to Bahram Gur’s spies, the Khaqan of Chin, Iran’s enemy, and his army were camped in a field near Merv. Bahram Gur and his soldiers marched across the breadth of Iran and caught the Khaqan’s army completely off guard. The Khaqan and many of his nobles were captured and the booty divided among the troops of Bahram Gur. Here, the Khaqan’s captors lead him to Bahram Gur, astride a richly caparisoned horse, while horns blow and the battle ensues in the background. Bashdan Qara, one of the younger generation of artists, produced or assisted on many of the Shahnama’s battle scenes.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Bahram Gur Advances by Stealth against the Khaqan," Folio 577v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Artist: Painting attributed to Bashdan Qara (Iranian, active ca. 1525–1535)
  • Date: ca. 1530–35
  • Geography: Made in Iran, Tabriz
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting:
    H. 9 7/16 in. (24 cm)
    W. 8 1/16 in. (20.5 cm)
    Entire Page:
    H. 18 5/8 in. (47.3 cm)
    W. 12 3/8 in. (31.4 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970
  • Object Number: 1970.301.63
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.