"Portrait of Qilich Khan Turani", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album 1505 - 1665

La'lchand painted this portrait of Qilich Khan Turani, using opaque watercolor and gold on paper, as part of the Shah Jahan Album. Reflect upon the visual representation of power and identity during the Mughal era in India. This portrait gives us access to the courtly life of the elite. Consider the sitter's stance, dress, and accoutrements as a carefully constructed presentation of status and masculinity. The detailed rendering of Qilich Khan Turani, with his turban, sword, and shield, reflects the importance of military prowess and courtly etiquette. Mughal portraiture often served to legitimize power, but here we also get a sense of the individual. Notice the floral border; it softens the image and is visually pleasing. What narratives do these details tell us about the artistic and cultural values of the time? These portraits offered a way of preserving and celebrating individual identities within the grand narrative of the empire.