The Young Emperor Akbar Arrests the Insolent Shah Abu’l-Maali, page from a manuscript of the Akbarnama, Basawan, between 1585 and 1595

The court of akbar, an illustration from the “akbarnama” (the official history of akbar's reign in three volumes). The spiral composition with horses dominating the outer corner cleverly draws the viewer's attention to the young emperor (13 years old). He is portrayed in a powerful central position from which he performs his first imperial act: the arrest of an unruly courtier who was once the favorite of akbar's father. The emperor's seat stands on a floral patterned carpet. Object Type: painting. Date: between 1585 and 1595. Place of creation: Mughal Empire. Dimensions: height: 32 cm (12.5 in) ; width: 19.3 cm (7.5 in). Medium: gold, gouache paint, paper. Depicted People: Akbar. Collection: Art Institute of Chicago. Akbars Hof