Hamba-I-Haidari. 1836-1837. Gift of Harry Goodwin. 1959.1.3.

image height: 8.75 in, 22.225 cm; image width: 4.875 in, 12.3825 cm; sheet height: 10.875 in, 27.6225 cm; sheet width: 6.5 in, 16.51 cm; mat height: 20 in, 50.8 cm; mat width: 16 in, 40.64 cm; window height: 9 3/4 in, 24.765 cm; window width: 5 3/4 in, 14

Text throughout

Arts of Asia

Arts of Asia

Leaf from the Hamba-i-Haidari
1836–37, Mughal dynasty (1526–1857)
Northern India
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Denver Art Museum: Gift of Harry Goodwin
1959.1.3  

This manuscript page depicts a scene in the life of Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law. Ali is revered by the Shi’ite sect of Islam, whose followers believe that he was appointed by Muhammad to continue his teachings; Sunni Muslims believe Muhammad’s successor was his father-in-law, the caliph Abu Bakr. The original text was written by Mirza Muhammad Rafi’ Khan Badel, who was born in Persia but emigrated to India.