Battle Scene (painting, recto), folio fragment from a Bhagavata Purana series

Unknown artist

c.1540

Opaque watercolor on paper

Arthur M. Sackler Museum

A chaotic battle scene unfolds with figures on chariots and horses engaged in combat with bows and arrows. The composition is densely packed with action and figures. This painting depicts figures marching into battle on chariots and horse-backs, drawing their weapons towards their enemy. This painting is part of a four-folio scene, which, combined, would create a large battle painting. It is possible that this folio, along with the other three, was made sometime after the Dispersed Bhagavata Purana series was completed to accompany the series. There is no text on the reverse of this folio. This painting belongs to the 'Dispersed' Bhagavata Purana series, produced in the early 16th century, possibly in Mathura. The series, possibly consisting of 360 such folios, is based on the tenth book of the