"The Khaqan Captive Before Bahram Gur", Folio 578r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
 Painting attributed to Qasim ibn 'Ali Iranian
 Workshop director Mir Musavvir Iranian

Not on view

According to his 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 amongst 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. Under the influence of Mir Musavvir, the second supervisor of the Shahnama project, Abu'l Qasim toned down his Turkmen excesses and conformed to a sober decorative style in this illustration.

"The Khaqan Captive Before Bahram Gur", Folio 578r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus), Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper

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