Maharaja Suraj Mal with a Hawk - Pahari Painting c1730 - 1740

Maharaja Suraj Mal with a Hawk - Pahari Painting c1730 - 1740

Suraj Mal (r.1613-1618) was an early Nurpur ruler who died in exile after rebelling against the emperor Jahangir. In this posthumous portrait of the jharoka window type, the veteran warrior strokes the breast of his prize hawk. Pahari rulers were often portrayed with a hawk or falcon, as a mark of their hunting prowess and regal demeanour.

Medium: Gouache with gold on paper
Source: ashmolean.org