Rama avatar. Inscribed above in nagari:’ Rama.’ 220 by 153 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. Hanuman stands before Rama who is sitting on a hillock with Sita and Lakshmana.
Narasimha avatar (the Man-lion). Inscribed above in nagari:’ Narasimha.’ 222 by 151 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. The lion-headed Visnu emerges from a stone pillar to disembowel the blasphemous Hiranyakasipu. Prahlada stands by with head averted.
Kalki avatar (the White Horse). Inscribed above in nagari:’ Kalki.’ 221 by 153 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. Kalki sits on a silver throne holding a fly-whisk over his shoulder, while the white horse stands behind with legs and belly painted red as a symbol of victory.
Varaha avatar (the Boar). 221 by 154 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. Visnu, boar-headed, balances the world on his tusks. Standing in reverence on either side are Garuda, Jambavat, Brahma, Siva and Indra. Hiranyaksha lies conquered in the waters below.
Vamana avatar (the Dwarf). 223 by 151 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. Visnu in his dwarf form completes the strides which carry him to the upper region where four figures pour the Ganges from water-pots. One of four wrestlers clings to Visnu’s foot, but the other three have fallen beneath. Bali watc...
Krishna avatar. Inscribed above in nagari:’ krishna’; on reverse: three lines of Persian description. Coloured drawing with some gouache and gold. 223 by 152 mm. Krishna killing Kansa; he has dragged the king forward by the hair ready to strike him with an elephant tusk; Balarama stands by a...
Buddha avatar. Inscribed above in nagari:’ buddha’; on reverse: six lines of Persian description. Coloured drawing. 224 by 142 mm. The Buddha shown as a bearded ascetic standing knee-deep in a pond, holds a document from which he is teaching four bearded disciples.
Matsya avatar (the Fish). Inscribed above in nagari:’ matsya’; on reverse: full page of Persian description. Coloured drawing. 225 by 152 mm. Visnu emerging from the jaws of a fish is acclaimed by four ‘rishis’ who stand at the water’s edge; the demon Hayagriva is vanquished beneath.
Parasurama avatar (Rama with the axe). Inscribed above in nagari:’ parasurama’; on reverse: five lines of Persian description. Coloured drawing. 222 by 151 mm. Rama uses his axe in battle with the thousand-armed Kartavirya.