Shah Jahan ruled India for thirty years as the fifth emperor of the Mughal dynasty, and he is often considered one of the most effective Mughal emperors. He sits in the center of a vast palace complex attended by a woman who fans him, while another shows him a small painting of lovers, presumably for his approval. Other women are depicted engaging in various activities in the inner quarters of the palace, while courtiers stand outside the gates to these restricted spaces.
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
