Mughal ruler Humayun defeating the Afghans before reconquering India, folio from an Akbar-nama (Book of Akbar) of Abu’l Fazl (Indian, 1551–1602) c. 1590 India, Mughal school, 16th century Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper Image: 31.2 x 18.6 cm (12 5/16 x 7 5/16 in.); Overall: 36.5 x 23.1 cm (14 3/8 x 9 1/8 in.) Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund 1971.77 DID YOU KNOW? A well-trained war elephant can pull an opponent off his horse with its trunk. DESCRIPTION Babur’s son Humayun was ousted from India by an Afghan rebel in 1540, ten years after he came to the throne. After spending 15 years in exile, Humayun returned with military support from Iran and successfully reconquered Delhi. He also brought from Iran seven royal court artists who were invited to start a Mughal painting atelier. To illustrate the beginning of his own biography, Humayun’s son Akbar included this image of his father riding victoriously back to India. CITATIONS The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 304 archive.org EXHIBITION HISTORY Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115); August 13, 2003 - February 18, 2004. Indian Minature Rotation (Gallery 115); August 18, 2004 - Art and Stories from Mughal India. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (July 31-October 23, 2016).