Portrait of Lal Kunwar, the beloved of the eighth Mughal Emperor Jahandār Shāh - Mughal Painting Circa 18th century

Portrait of Lal Kunwar, the beloved of the eighth Mughal Emperor Jahandār Shāh -  Mughal Painting Circa 18th century

Portrait of Lal Kunwar, the beloved of the eighth Mughal Emperor Jahandār Shāh -  Mughal Painting Circa 18th century

This Mughal color-wash drawing, dating to the twelfth century AH / eighteenth CE, depicts Lāl Kunwar, the beloved of the eighth Mughal Emperor Jahandār Shāh (d. 1125 AH / 1713 CE). Originally a dancing girl, she became Jahandār's concubine and later the queen consort. Contemporary historians noted Jahandār Shāh's decadent lifestyle and his devotion to the female entertainer Lāl Kunwar, who is named in the inscription at the top of the page. Reportedly, Lāl Kunwar had much influence at Jahandār's court. The seals in the upper corners of the page were added later.

Credit: thedigitalwalters.org