This single leaf depicts the Mughal emperor Akbar (r. 963-1014 AH / 1556–1605 CE), who continues to ride and control his elephant, which has gone into heat (must). The elephant is shown attacking a horse, whose rider has fallen beneath his steed. In turn, the horse bites the elephant’s trunk. The event documents the courage and determination of the emperor, who is identified in an inscription at the top of the page in black nastaʿlīq script as Muḥammad Jalāl al-Dīn Akbar Pādshāh. This inscription was likely written by a later viewer. The border, in yellow, black, blue, and orange, probably dates to the thirteenth century AH / nineteenth CE.
Credit: thedigitalwalters.org