Primary sourcePaintingc. 1577
Umar Defeats a Dragon
Daswanth · c. 1577
A large 1577 Mughal manuscript painting by the artist Daswanth, from the Hamzanama commissioned by Akbar, showing a hero battling a dragon.
Painted for the Hamzanama, a huge illustrated manuscript project commissioned by Akbar for his court workshop.
About this source
What it is
This large painted page, measuring 55 by 70 cm, illustrates an episode from the Hamzanama in which the hero Umar fights a dragon. It was painted by Daswanth, an artist in the workshop of the Mughal emperor Akbar, around 1577, and is now held by the Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna.
Why it matters
The Hamzanama was one of the largest illustrated manuscript projects ever undertaken at Akbar's court, employing many artists over years. This page shows the bold, dramatic early style Akbar's workshop developed before it became more refined and detailed later in his reign.
Look closer
- How does the artist use colour, size and gesture to make the fight scene dramatic?
- Why do you think Akbar commissioned such a huge illustrated manuscript project?
- What does the crowd of onlookers in the painting add to the story being told?
This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Akbar the Great on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
More Akbar the Great sources
Meet the AI Akbar the Great →
Ready when you are
Start chatting with Akbar the Great now.
20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.