Bhima Slays Jarasandha: Page from a Bhagavata Purana Manuscript

ca. 1540

Not on view

This painting is from a series illustrating climactic moments in Book 10 of the Bhagavata Purana, which celebrates the exploits of the young Krishna. The composition depicts Bhima slaying the evil ruler of Magadha, King Jarasandha, who is torn apart in a wrestling match, witnessed by Krishna. The work belongs to one of the earliest known Sultanate-period illustrated Hindu manuscripts, distinguished by the use of intense flat color and a distinctive figure-type with wondrous pronounced eyes.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Bhima Slays Jarasandha: Page from a Bhagavata Purana Manuscript
Date: ca. 1540
Culture: Northern India, Delhi or Agra region
Medium: Opaque watercolor and ink on paper
Dimensions: 6 3/4 x 9 1/16 in. (17.1 x 23 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of Cynthia Hazen Polsky, 1985
Object Number: 1985.398.16
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Pierced Window Screen (Jali), Red sandstone; pierced, carved — Pierced Window Screen (Jali)
second half 16th century

The Demon Hiranyaksha Departs the Demon Palace: Folio from a Bhagavata Purana Series, Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper, Northern India, Guler, Himachal Pradesh — The Demon Hiranyaksha Departs the Demon Palace: Folio from a Bhagavata Purana Series
Northern India, Guler, Himachal Pradesh
ca. 1740

"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, Amir Khusrau Dihlavi Indian, Main support: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold on paper<br/>Margins: Gold on dyed paper — "A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Author Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Painting attributed to Miskin
1597–98

Shiva and Parvati Playing Chaupar: Folio from a Rasamanjari Series, Devidasa of Nurpur, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper, India (Basohli, Jammu) — Shiva and Parvati Playing Chaupar: Folio from a Rasamanjari Series
Devidasa of Nurpur
dated 1694–95

"Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Govardhan, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper — "Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Painting by Govardhan
Calligrapher Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1630; recto: ca. 1530–50

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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.