"'Umar Walks around Fulad Castle, Meets a Foot Soldier and Kicks Him to the Ground", Folio from a Hamzanama (The Adventures of Hamza)
ca. 1570
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on cloth; mounted on paper
Dimensions
H. 28 3/4 in. (73 cm) W. 22 1/4 in. (56.5 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1923
Accession Number
23.264.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
This vibrant folio from the *Hamzanama* (Adventures of Hamza), monumental epic cycle commissioned by Mughal emperor Akbar around 1570, captures a dramatic moment: the hero 'Umar strides confidently around the imposing Fulad Castle, encountering a foot soldier whom he kicks to the ground. The *Hamzanama* recounts the fantastical exploits of Hamza, uncle of the Prophet Muhammad, Persian literary traditions with Indian storytelling in one of the largest illustrated manuscripts ever produced—over 1,400 folios depicting epic battles, magic, and heroism. Created by the skilled artists Kesav Das and...
About the Artist
Kesav Das|Mah Muhammad (Indian| ) · 1545 |1545 –1630 |1595
Indian, active ca. 1570–1604|active 1570s