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Folio showing the seals of the Mughal emperors

Folio showing the seals of the Mughal emperors

Folio 3a

The seals on this folio belong to the Mughal emperors of India, who owned and treasured this Shanamah manuscript from the sixteenth century through the nineteenth century. Muhammad Juki, the original patron of the manuscript, was the grandson of the great central Asian conqueror, Timur. The first Mughal emperor, Babur, was a fifth generation descendent of Timur. Like Muhammad Juki, Babur and the Mughal emperors that followed him were great patrons of Persian artistic culture. Babur likely obtained this manuscript in Herat in 1506, then brought it back to India. His seal is at the upper left of the folio. At the upper center, level with Babur’s, is the seal of Babur’s son, Humayun. It is written in fine Persian calligraphy, called nastaʿliq, revealing Humayun’s appreciation of this art. The most prominent seal and inscription, in the center of the folio, is that of the great seventeenth century emperor and patron of the arts, Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan wrote on a gold ground, also in nastaʿliq calligraphy. Shah Jahan’s seal, shaped like a tear drop, is to the top right of his inscription

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