Oct 21 2021 to Oct 21 2021 6:30 p.m.

EVENT HAS ENDED

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

In collaboration with Niyogi Books

Reflections on Mughal Art and Culture, recently published, explores the rich aesthetic and cultural legacy of the Mughal Empire with new, insightful material researched by 13 leading scholars in the field. The articles in the book discuss varied subjects under the Mughal umbrella, challenge long-held ideas and draw comparisons between the artistic expressions and material culture of the powerful Islamicate triumvirate of the early modern period, the Safavids, the Ottomans and the Mughals. During the first half of this presentation, Roda Ahluwalia, editor of the book, will explore the diversity in chapters as well as common threads that run through them, unifying the book in aesthetic and cultural identity.

Dr. Mika Natif, a contributor to the book will discuss her new research on images of royal Mughal women illustrated in pages of historical manuscripts from the time of Emperors Akbar and Jahangir. Depicted in group portraits, these pictures reveal the importance of Mughal court ladies in the empire’s political and cultural life. One woman in particular, Hamida Banu Begum (b. ca 527-1604), stands out because of the sheer frequency of her appearance in court chronicle illustrations. No other Mughal female figure has enjoyed such prolific visual representation during her own lifetime. This session will focus on some portraits of Hamida Banu from the History of Akbar (Akbarnama) and the Memoirs of Jahangir (Jahangirnama). These paintings highlight her political stature and economic power, as well as her role in the formation of the dynasty’s Turko-Mongol identity, legitimacy, and prestige.  Defying notions of royal female seclusion, her images challenge the modern day male-centered art historical discourse of Mughal portraiture.

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