Portrait of Raja Jagat Singh of Nurpur (reigned 1618-46) probably 1619 attributed to Bichitr (Indian, active c. 1615–50) India, Mughal Dynasty (1526-1756) Opaque watercolor and gold on paper Page: 41 x 32.7 cm (16 1/8 x 12 7/8 in.) Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection 2013.324 DID YOU KNOW? Jagat Singh, shown in this miniature, was a favorite of the Mughal queen. DESCRIPTION Jagat Singh was a prince from a small kingdom in the western Himalayan foothills who grew up at the imperial Mughal court of Jahangir and his queen Nur Jahan. He was given the title of prince in 1619, and this painting may commemorate that event. Very few nobles from the hill states had positions at the Mughal court at this time, so his portrait is a rare imperial Mughal painting. The emperor and his favorite wife frequently visited Nurpur, named “City of Light” in their honor, to hunt and relax, and Prince Jagat Singh was a favorite of the queen. She interceded on his behalf in 1624, when he joined a rebellion to dethrone her husband. INSCRIPTION ascription in lower right corner: amal - i bandieh dargah Bichitr EXHIBITION HISTORY The Cleveland Museum of Art (7/31/2016-10/23/2016); Art and Stories from Mughal India, cat. 53, p. 228. Indian Gallery 242 Rotation – April-November 2018. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (April 2-November 18, 2018).

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