Wedding procession of Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah

c. 1650

24.3 x 32.3 cm

Gouache with gold on paper

This scene of a wedding party travelling by night depicts Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah of Golconda (r.1580-1612) bringing home his bride, the beautiful Hindu dancing-girl Bhagmati. Himself a Shia Muslim, Muhammad Quli had fallen in love with Bhagmati as a young prince. He would often ride out to visit her village, fording the sometimes dangerous Musi river to do so.

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