Wedding Procession of Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah
The figures accompanying the nighttime wedding procession of Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah of Golconda (r. 1580–1612) and his Hindu bride, Bhagmati, glow against the dark background as they carry ceremonial umbrellas above the couple, who are seated together on a horse. This detail departs from the typical Indian convention, in which the bride is usually brought to her new home in a separate litter called a doli (seen here in the background being drawn by cows).