Indian Mughal Art - Maharaj Man Singh On Horseback - Miniature Painting

Maharaja Man Singh of Jodhpur (r. 1803-43) rides his gaily caparisoned horse, with attendants on foot accompanying him, in front of a large hill. Dressed all in white, his main adornment is his high-peaked yellow and red turban. He holds the reins with his left hand and strokes his horse’s neck with his right. Attendants on foot carry morchhal, silver sticks and chowrie as appropriate. The horse is beautifully decorated as was usual in Jodhpur painting, not only with its mane plaited and decorated with coloured fillets, but with coloured streamers attached to its bridle, and painted decorations round its body, the lower half of which as well as the legs have been painted red with henna. The group is passing a large hill, its lower rocks rendered in blue with flowers and grasses growing in the cracks between the rocks. It must be of some significance but there is no inscription to tell us.