Posted on: 5 November 2012

Folio from the Ramayana of Valmiki (The Freer Ramayana), Vol. 2, folio 199; recto: text; verso: Laksmana is stricken by the magic arrows of Indrajita
1597-1605

Fazl , (Indian, Indian)
Mughal dynasty

Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
H: 27.5 W: 15.2 cm
Northern India

Copyright © 2012 Smithsonian Institution


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I've promised myself that I'll visit the Freer Gallery in my next round of WAshington DC Smithsonian Museums. These works were commisisoned by Akbar, I think

A Ramayana in the Mughal style! With the text in Persian.

One of the most beautiful written texts from all the languages of this world , imo .

Originally written in Sanskrit language

This translation of the Ramayana, from Sanskrit into Persian, was done by Maulana Abdul Qadir Badayuni on express orders from Emperor Akbar. In his historical work "Muntakhib-ul-Tawarikh", Badayuni gives the exact date he started the translation, got the paintings done, and its presentation to Akbar. The first 'edition' did not include the paintings, the second one did. Akbar ordered the book to be kept in his library much of which was later burnt by the Jats. (A superb translation of Badayuni's history is also available in English.)

Thank you Asad Ahmed!