RAMAYANA, the great epic poem of Valmiki, in Sanscrit, narrating the exploits of the hero Rama
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This copy is written on paper, in the Devanagari character, but is imperfect, wanting the third and fifth books. It is illustrated throughout with many hundreds of curious colored drawings, a portion of which is exceedingly well executed. The first book was transcribed Samvat, 1769 (A.D. 1713), by a...
Bharata and Satrughna arrive at their grandfather's palace. Artist(s): Sahib Din (fl.1628-53)
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[numbered above 4]. Bharata, Satrughna and their uncle along with retainers and two led riding horses, with loaded elephants beyond the horizon line, arrive at the palace of the King of Kekaya, Bharata’s maternal grandfather, who awaits them looking out of an upper window apparently above the elepha...
Dasaratha tells Rama he is to be made king. Artist(s): Sahib Din (fl.1628-53)
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Sumantra brings Rama and Laksmana in a chariot to Dasaratha’s durbar hall, with a woman looking down from above through a jharokha. The king greets Rama, informs him of his decision and seats him on a small throne beside him while the assembled noblemen approve his installation as regent. 176 by 347...
The citizens of Ayodhya prepare for the ceremony. Artist(s): Sahib Din (fl.1628-53)
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[numbered 16v and above 13]. In the main street in the city of Ayodhya, the excited merchants are decorating their shops with their finest brocades, while people climb on tops of the houses, and over the temples, to secure the best view of the coronation procession. 194 by 349 mm. H.P. Shastri, The ...
The people of Ayodhya await the ceremony. Artist(s): Sahib Din (fl.1628-53)
Scope & Content:
[numbered 17v and above 14]. The same street in the city of Ayodhya is now fully decorated, with the people waiting for the procession. They tell each other how wise the king is and how fortunate they are to have Rama as their new protector. 197 by 342 mm. H.P. Shastri, The Ramayana of Valmiki, Lond...
Sumantra brings Rama to Dasaratha's palace. Artist(s): Sahib Din (fl.1628-53)
Scope & Content:
[numbered 30v and above 20]. Sumantra arrives at the entrance to the palace with Rama in his chariot with townsmen bowing to welcome them. Once within the palace walls, Rama takes part in offerings to the sacred fire with Brahmins under a pandal, while in the throne-room within attendants wave chowr...
Rama and his brothers outside the palace at Ayodhya. Artist(s): Sahib Din (fl.1628-53)
Scope & Content:
The four brothers embrace outside the palace (centre), with women looking down from a shuttered jharokha window supported by curving serpentine brackets. A rich cloth is spread over the sill. Then Bharata and Satrughna go off in one chariot, with Yudhajit in another proceeded by armed retainers. Oth...