Two Pigeons
Birds in Mughal paintings are often shown in poetic pairs even when they exhibit the qualities of close scientific observation normally reserved for individual animal studies, such as those of elephants. Perhaps this indicates the harmony and balance of nature to which Mughal art was also deeply sensitive. The pigeon at left has golden anklets on its feet, suggesting that these are imperial birds used for the sport of kabootar bazi, or pigeon flying.
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