Dive into the enchanting world of Mughal miniatures in this in-depth but accessible study. Badshahs of Hindustan: Babur to Bahadur Shah Zafar spans the full breadth of Mughal rule over the Indian Subcontinent across three centuries as depicted by its most brilliant painters and contextualized with well-curated scholarly perspectives on the Mughal Empire's rich artistic heritage from preeminent institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Art . 8.25" by 11" - 155 premium color pages, with gorgeous full page-length reproductions that come close to doing justice to the original miniatures - Mughal emperors featured: Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb, Bahadur Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Muhammad Shah Rangeela, Ahmad Shah Bahadur, Alamgir II, Shah Alam II, Akbar Shah II, Bahadur Shah Zafar Miniatures arranged in chronological order by emperor, enable the reader to observe the evolution of the preferred style over time - Multiple works featuring royal father-son interactions, including Akbar-Jahangir (Prince Salim), Jahangir-Shah Jahan (Prince Khurram), Shah Jahan-Dara Shikoh - Chance to hone in on the key elements chosen by the commissioning rulers as points of focus - Exquisite detail affords readers the chance to immerse themselves in the richness of Mughal royal fashion, regalia and ornamentation, particularly in the works on Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb - Artists featured: Govardhan, Balachand, Bichitr, Manohar, Abu'l Hasan, Bishandas, Nanha, Hashim, Chitarman, Bulaqi, Rembrandt, Bhavanidas, Nainsukh, Mir Kalan Khan - Featured works on view at : Metropolitan Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, National Museum of Asian Art - Bonus content beyond royal portraiture : Painting of ecstatic dervishes performing the sama, the mystical Sufi whirling dance institutionalized by the son of Jalaluddin Rumi - Portrait of Indian saint Shaikh Mui'in al-Din Chishti (1141-1230) from the early 19th century - Painting of Joseph, the Virgin Mary, and the infant Jesus in Indian style from the court of Jahangir in the 1620s - Scenes capturing the essence of Mughal social life , including Holi celebrations and music and dance performances on moonlit terraces accompanied by dhol, sitar, and hookah - Miniatures that distill Mughal conceptions of love , including lovers on terraces, in the wilderness, and in scenes from Persian, Urdu, and Sanskrit literature vis-a-vis Layla-Majnun, Shirin-Farhad , and Joseph-Zulaykha Explore the fusion of Persian, Indian, and Central Asian influences in these miniatures, gaining insight into their historical, cultural, and artistic significance. For collectors, scholars, and art enthusiasts, this book is an essential addition to your exploration of Mughal culture . Makes a great gift for students of Indian imperial history and an excellent tool to cultivate interest by curious young minds and drive enthusiasm for trips to the museum!