Peregrine Falcon on Perch

A number of animals and birds figure in the Akbari paintings as illustrations to the fables of Iyar-i-Danish and Anwar-i-Suhayli manuscripts. But it is during the time of Jahangir that we get portraits of birds and animals. Time and again, Jahangir talks of his interest in special species of birds and animals and he often ordered his favourite artists, Manohar and Ustad Mansur to paint the likeness of those which he liked particularly.

The falcon was very dear to him as a bird of prey and he used to marvel at their sharpness. He wrote, “I occupied myself hunting with falcons. By chance, a karwanak crane took flight. I sent the white falcon of which I am extremely fond for it. The crane escaped its clutches and the falcon rose into the air and went so high that it disappeared from view.... suddenly it appeared far away in the tree.... This is a gift from out of the blue that no one had expected and it made me very happy. As a reward for this service, I increased his rank and gave him a horse and a robe of honour.”

It is no wonder then that the painters of his court painted this favourite bird several times over. This falcon can be identified as Shaheen Falcon (falco peregrinus peregrinator sundervall) inhabiting most parts of northern India. Its flight is extremely swift and direct; a few rapid pigeon-like wing beats are followed by a glide at tremendous speed. It hurls itself at its quarry from a height, or ‘pitch’, wings pressed to the sides, sometimes over a traverse of several hundred yards, like a bolt from the blue.

The falcon, held by the string is perched on its partially painted stand. It has a pinkish chest, a white patch between the throat and the chest, the back and the feathers are grey with minute detailing of the surface. The inscription on top which in all probability is a later addition, reads, “jurrah-nasir-al-asr ustad” meaning Ustad Mansur who was given the title of nasir-al-asr by Jahangir. The painting is unfinished and is mounted later on a highly decorated big mount with borders around the main painting.