antique miniature painting of mughal emperor and harem

India
Late 19th century
43 x 28 cm

This painting is a probably from the western state of Rajasthan, India. It is a rich colorful picture painted in opaque watercolors on paper. Inspired by the graceful and romantic lifestyles of the Mughals, the painting emphasizes the lives of the kings. It is full of life and color in a luxurious world of physical beauty and sensuality. The emperor is shown enjoying an intimate moment with a companion against a beautiful backdrop of the royal courtyard. Harems were composed of wives and female relatives of the Mughals. Most women usually entered the Harem through marriage, birth, appointments or as gifts.
The women were governed through strict rules of Purdah, and they could not move out of the harem as they liked, but many women travelled for affairs of pilgrimage to local shrines, hunting and sightseeing with the Emperor. They always moved out in decorated palanquins or on the back of the elephants. Inside the Harem, they led a materially luxurious and a comfortable life.The Harem had gardens, fountains and water channels attached to it. There were various departments within the Mughal Harem that fulfilled the basic needs of its inmates. The food was provided from the Royal Kitchen known as Bawarchikhana and the Akbar Khanah provided drinking water and wine. The Ritab Khanah was in charge of supplying bread and the Maywa Khanah provided fruits to the household. Things of personal use such as dresses, jewellery, fancy articles and other household items were provided by the Imperial Karkhanah.The harem was not just a place where women lived. Babies were born and children grew up there. Within the precincts of the harem were markets, bazaars, laundries, kitchens, playgrounds, schools and baths.The harem had a hierarchy, its chief authorities being the wives and female relatives of the emperor and below them were the concubines.[3] Mothers, step-mothers, aunts, grandmothers, step-sisters, sisters, daughters and other female relatives lived in the harem. There were also ladies-in-waiting, servants, maids, cooks, women, officials, and guards.The harem of the Mughal Empire was guarded by eunuchs, as well as female warriors called Urdubegis.Good condition. Gold touches in the painting.If there is interest, I will provide other details/information available prior to purchase.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: B4R4U2CQ

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