Akbar on horseback receiving homage

The Emperor Akbar is one of the most famous rulers in the history of the Mughal Empire. He presided over an opulent court that was renowned for its interest in culture and knowledge. Akbar had a history of his reign—the Akbarnama or Book of Akbar—composed for him by his friend, the courtier Abu'l Fazl. These two manuscript pages likely formed part of an Akbarnama manuscript.

Images from historical chronicles, more so than for other literary texts, most often served as illustrations and were secondary to the written text. Outside the context of the chronicle, these images were often difficult to decipher and could be understood only in a general, superficial way. Combined with the text, however, these images enlivened the narrative, as specific people, places and events could be recognized.

In the reception scene, Akbar leans down from the back of his horse to receive the greeting and supplication of a figure on the ground. This image parallels a sixteenth-century illustration in the Akbarnama in which Akbar receives homage from a potentially rebellious subordinate. The ruler's superiority is clear, as he is the only figure on horseback. A large standard bearing the royal insignia covers his head and provides another indication of his elevated status. The massive elephant in the foreground and the formidable fortress in the background also allude to Akbar's power, strength and right to rule. The minute detail and naturalistic style of Mughal painting invite the viewer into the image, animating the historical text that was meant to highlight Akbar's unique personality and the greatness of his reign as Mughal emperor.