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Collection
Victoria and Albert Museum
Drawing

Drawing, c. 1630

Drawing

c. 1630 · Drawing · 32.6 × 40.6 cm

May one see it?

Not receiving at present

Victoria and Albert Museum

London, United Kingdom

It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.

Checked: 7 days ago
In this state since: Sep 25, 2026
Source: The museum's own collection data

On the map Museum page

About the work

This drawing of an elephant was probably done in about 1630 at the Mughal court and is identified by a Persian inscription written by emperor Shah Jahan. It records that the animal's name is Mahabir Deb, that it had been presented to the emperor by 'Adil Khan, and that it was worth 60,000 rupees. The Bijapuri ruler sent regular tributes of money and valuable goods, including elephants, to the Mughal emperor.

An inscription on the back identifies the prince riding the elephant as Dara Shokuh, Shah Jahan's son. There are various seals on both sides of the painting; the earliest is dated 1643-4.

Victoria and Albert Museum

Particulars

Accession number: IM.23-1928

What it shows

Elephant Prince Jewellery Mahabir Deb

In the catalog

Mughal Mughal Empire

Sources

Victoria and Albert Museum: the museum's own open data · fetched 7 days ago
Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Neighbors at Victoria and Albert Museum

Statuette, Johann Joachim Kändler, late 18th century

design by Johann Joachim Kaendler, manufactured by Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH

Statuette, late 18th century

Figurine, 700-800

Figurine, 700-800

Buddha Sakyamuni, 9th century-10th century

Buddha Sakyamuni, 9th century-10th century

Jina Parsvanatha, Chakravarti Paloja, late 12th century - early 14th century

Chakravarti Paloja

Jina Parsvanatha, late 12th century - early 14th century

Figurine, 1127-1279, or later

Figurine, 1127-1279, or later

Seated Buddha, early 3rd century

Seated Buddha, early 3rd century

Figure, 618-907

Figure, 618-907

Ghiberti: design for a mosaic in the Museum (the 'Kensington Valhalla'), Edward Henry Wehnert, mid 1860s

Edward Henry Wehnert

Ghiberti: design for a mosaic in the Museum (the 'Kensington Valhalla'), mid 1860s

Drawing · ART WIKI