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Akbar crossing the Ganges on his elephant Udiya, in pursuit of the rebels Khan Zaman and Bahadur Khan, 1567
from the Akbarnama


Composition was designed by the Mughal court artist Jagan & painted by Nand Gwaliari.

Painted by Ikhlas & Madhav. Several mounted elephants are guided by their riders while the horses are led by soldiers. The animals are decorated with gold chains and other jewellery. The royal elephant and the emperor are depicted larger than the rest of the group to emphasise their presence. The emperor, wearing a yellow robe, green sash and brown turban, guides his elephant with a gold goad.

These illustrations depict the Mughal emperor Akbar (r.1556–1605) crossing the River Ganges in north-east India on his elephant, Udiya, in pursuit of the rebels Khan Zaman and Bahadur Khan. V&A museum.

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Mughal Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers in the Akbarnama