The Hamzanama

A heroic epic illustrated in India around 1570

By MAK – Museum of Applied Arts

MAK – Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): Emissaries bring news from the provinces of Khaybar and Chin to Anoshirvan (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

60 Paintings tell a Story

The Hamzanama is based on a story from a centuries-old oral tradition. It tells of Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib
(c. 569–625), the uncle of the prophet Muhammad (c. 570–632). The historical
Hamza was opposed to Islam at first until he converted in 615, after which he
became one of its most ardent advocate. The historical facts were embroidered
over the centuries with a variety of fictional events. The tales of the
Hamzanama are about the struggles of the Muslims against the “infidels” and the
attempt to convert them; likewise legendary sorcerers, demons and fairies,
daring heroes, brave women and trickster spies, who are said to have played a
role in the life of the Amir Hamza. They were commissioned by Akbar, the
“Great” (r. 1556–1605), probably the most influential of all Mughal rulers, and
were created between 1557 and 1577 in his court workshops. It is renowned as
one of the most important works of painting in the Islamic world. Today a total
of 200 out of the original 1 400 folios of Akbar’s Hamzanama have been
preserved in various collections worldwide. The MAK has the greatest quantity,
with 60 folios. This incongruence in preservation and the many oral versions of
Hamza’s story prevent a more precise determination of the sequence of the
folios.

Emissaries bring news from the provinces of Khaybar and Chin to Anoshirvan

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): Anoshirvan sends an army against Bahram (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Anoshirvan sends an army against Bahram

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5):Umar foils a plot against Hamza during a campaign against Greece (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Umar foils a plot against Hamza during a campaign against Greece

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): Feridun Shah, the king of Greece, converts to Islam and marries his daughter to Hamza (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Feridun Shah, the king of Greece, converts to Islam and marries his daughter to Hamza

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): Landhaur, the son of the king of Ceylon, is abducted in his sleep by a demon (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Landhaur, the son of the king of Ceylon, is abducted in his sleep by a demon

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): During a campaign Hamza kills the leader of the Qaf, people who have elephant ears (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

During a campaign Hamza kills the leader of the Qaf, people who have elephant ears

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): Landhaur frees Hamza's grandson from prison (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Landhaur frees Hamza's grandson from prison

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): Hamza's son Rostam and Mihrafroz are warned by startled birds (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Hamza's son Rostam and Mihrafroz are warned by startled birds

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 6): Hamza's son Rostam fighting Malafard (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Hamza's son Rostam fighting Malafard

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 7): Sherafgan breaks a talisman (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Sherafgan breaks a talisman

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Shahrashob seizes the Amir [...] and puts [him] in a boat (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Shahrashob seizes the Amir [...] and puts [him] in a boat

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Umar gets into a boat and goes after the Amir and [...] (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Umar gets into a boat and goes after the Amir and [...]

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Ayjil aand Alamshah are made acquainted, and Khwaja Nu'man's first trick in Takaw (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Ayjil aand Alamshah are made acquainted, and Khwaja Nu'man's first trick in Takaw

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Mahlaj shows his skill to Zumurrud Shah and runs a spear through a tree (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Mahlaj shows his skill to Zumurrud Shah and runs a spear through a tree

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Shahrashob brings the captured Hamza to Takaw (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Shahrashob brings the captured Hamza to Takaw

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Hamza is brought to prison (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Hamza is brought to prison

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Yunus meets Umar on the sea (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Yunus meets Umar on the sea

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Baba Junayd helps Hamza's companions and fends Shahrashob off (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Baba Junayd helps Hamza's companions and fends Shahrashob off

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Umar makes a tunnel and gets out of prison and rescues the Amir (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Umar makes a tunnel and gets out of prison and rescues the Amir

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): [unreadable] (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

[unreadable]

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Umar escapes from bondage and shaves the beard from Kamran's face (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Umar escapes from bondage and shaves the beard from Kamran's face

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): The Amir, Umar, and Umar Ma'dikarb come to the foot of the Noshad fortress (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

The Amir, Umar, and Umar Ma'dikarb come to the foot of the Noshad fortress

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): The coming of a veilded youth and the killing of Marku' Boar-Tooth (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

The coming of a veilded youth and the killing of Marku' Boar-Tooth

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Malik Qasim jumps into the river to save Badi'uzzaman (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Malik Qasim jumps into the river to save Badi'uzzaman

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Surkhab comes out of the mountain fortress and places his head on the Amir's foot (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Surkhab comes out of the mountain fortress and places his head on the Amir's foot

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Tahmasp grapples with Marzban, and Umar throws a stone at Tahmasp's head (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Tahmasp grapples with Marzban, and Umar throws a stone at Tahmasp's head

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Tul Zangi and Farrukhsuwar are captured by Tahmasp (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Tul Zangi and Farrukhsuwar are captured by Tahmasp

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Hamza fights Tahmasp (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Hamza fights Tahmasp

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Umar hits the foot soldier on the head with a staff, and the messages come out (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Umar hits the foot soldier on the head with a staff, and the messages come out

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Hamza is released from prison by his companions (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Hamza is released from prison by his companions

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): The Amir breaks his bonds, and Umar kills the witch Barvezan (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

The Amir breaks his bonds, and Umar kills the witch Barvezan

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): In combat, Qasim beheads Kayhur's Rhinoceros (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

In combat, Qasim beheads Kayhur's Rhinoceros

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Two brothers pick up an elephant on the field; Farrukhnizhad goes, picks the elephant up, and converts them to Islam (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Two brothers pick up an elephant on the field; Farrukhnizhad goes, picks the elephant up, and converts them to Islam

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Hamza, Landhaur, and Zumurrud Shah stand bound before Lakman's throne (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Hamza, Landhaur, and Zumurrud Shah stand bound before Lakman's throne

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): The Amir seizes the Queen of Zarduhusht and makes her Muslim (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

The Amir seizes the Queen of Zarduhusht and makes her Muslim

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Several thousand urns appear, and all of Zumurrud Shah's soldiers get on the urns (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Several thousand urns appear, and all of Zumurrud Shah's soldiers get on the urns

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): The veiled youth brings Malik Bahman out (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

The veiled youth brings Malik Bahman out

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Songhur Balkhi and Sabukpa Egi get up onto Qimar's Fortress with Lassos (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Songhur Balkhi and Sabukpa Egi get up onto Qimar's Fortress with Lassos

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): The Khwaja puts Bihbud, Qalmas , and Khwarmah into chests together with Pabus Ayyar (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

The Khwaja puts Bihbud, Qalmas , and Khwarmah into chests together with Pabus Ayyar

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Malak Mah comes to the camp of Islam by night, sees Sa'id Farrukhnizhad, and falls in love with him (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Malak Mah comes to the camp of Islam by night, sees Sa'id Farrukhnizhad, and falls in love with him

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Malak Mah kills Ambar Zangi at the prison door, and the Amir's Ayyars get him out (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Malak Mah kills Ambar Zangi at the prison door, and the Amir's Ayyars get him out

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): [...] in Arzan Ibrahim [overthrows] As Zangi [...] (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

[...] in Arzan Ibrahim [overthrows] As Zangi [...]

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Title: Mahiya and Zambur render Ghazanfar unconscious and throw him from the fortress into the sea (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Mahiya and Zambur render Ghazanfar unconscious and throw him from the fortress into the sea

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Princess Malak Mah and Hamza's spies search for Sa'id, when she is kidnapped by a sorceress (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Princess Malak Mah and Hamza's spies search for Sa'id, when she is kidnapped by a sorceress

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Songhur Balkhi and Lulu are welcomed by the spy Baba Bakhsha (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Songhur Balkhi and Lulu are welcomed by the spy Baba Bakhsha

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Khosh-Khiram cuts off Kajdast Ayyar's head (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Khosh-Khiram cuts off Kajdast Ayyar's head

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Malik Bahman meets with Sa'id's sons (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Malik Bahman meets with Sa'id's sons

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): A hand appears and carries off Umar Amali (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

A hand appears and carries off Umar Amali

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Hamid gets out of the city, Hamraq and Tamraq go after him and are killed, and [...] (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Hamid gets out of the city, Hamraq and Tamraq go after him and are killed, and [...]

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Mihrdukht shoots an arrow and sends the foot soldiers after it; she gets into a boat with an old man and sails away (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Mihrdukht shoots an arrow and sends the foot soldiers after it; she gets into a boat with an old man and sails away

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Hamid achieves union with Mihrdukht (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Hamid achieves union with Mihrdukht

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 14): Umar brings Hamza the ring of Zumurrud Shah (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Umar brings Hamza the ring of Zumurrud Shah

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Umar is thrown over the wall but is unharmed (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Umar is thrown over the wall but is unharmed

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Prince Badi'uzzaman fights Kharatish (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Prince Badi'uzzaman fights Kharatish

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Hamza tries to help Umar, but discovers the man is only an impostor (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Hamza tries to help Umar, but discovers the man is only an impostor

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Prince Badi'uzzaman fights Iraj (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Prince Badi'uzzaman fights Iraj

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Prince Rostam frees Khurshed Khawari from the captivity of a demon (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Prince Rostam frees Khurshed Khawari from the captivity of a demon

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Umayya frees Umar, who has been imprisoned by Iraj (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Umayya frees Umar, who has been imprisoned by Iraj

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Iraj fights Hamza's friend Asad (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Iraj fights Hamza's friend Asad

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Umar defeats a dragon (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Umar defeats a dragon

Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Duel between a Muslim hero and a warrior astride a rhinoceros (1557–1577) by AkbarMAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Duel between a Muslim hero and a warrior astride a rhinoceros

Credits: Story

MAK – Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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