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The miniature painting "Prisoners and messengers before the ruler of Khutalan" is from an intact manuscript of Kitab-i Nigaristan, a collection of anecdotes and historical incidents written in prose by the historian and scholar Ahmad Muhammad Ghaffari (1504–1567/68) of Kashan in 1551–2. This illustrated manuscript, dated 1573, was probably produced in a Shiraz workshop.
See AKM272 for more information about the manuscript and links to the other illustrations.
Further Reading
Illustrated is a passage from a detailed description of a city called Ḫutalān in the sphere of influence of the Chinese rulers. The size and order of the city as well as the discipline, wisdom and strictness of the ruler of Ḫutalān are particularly emphasized in the description, which is intended to present a counter-image to the conditions in the Islamic region as the author sees them.
The illustration shows the prisoners from the newly conquered regions who are brought to the king.
- Elika Palenzona-Djalili
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