Khusrauv hadn't any prospects of succeeding his father for he was not the choice of any one influential in the Mughal empire. Khurram, the eldest, who ruled later as emperor Shahjahan, was a natural contender who had been paving his way to the Mughal throne right from the beginning. He had support of many Mughal courtiers and chiefs including Asaf Khan, the father of his wife Mumtaz Mahal and one of the strong pillars of Mughal empire. Jahangir's other son, Shahrayar, had support of Nurjahan, his mother, the influential wife of emperor Jahnagir and the most powerful woman in the line of the Mughals. After Akbar almost all Mughal emperors had to fight to succeed, and after Jahangir the war for succession turned to be the bitterest and the most heinous. Unlucky Khusrauv, though hardly a willing contender, had to participate in it and lose his life when too young.
The artist has portrayed him with a halo, which is defined by a gold line and radiating rays. He holds in his right hand a goblet, which gives to the entire depiction a formal touch. He is wearing an elegant Jahangiri turban with a beautiful kalagi, a long jama in dull magenta, a green scarf on his shoulders, a sash embroidered fully in gold, red pajamas and green shoes. Deep dull steel grey background, formally laid flower patterns and the absence of brilliance in entire depiction seems to aptly define the mood of the ill-fated prince.
This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of ancient Indian literature. Dr Daljeet is the chief curator of the Visual Arts Gallery at the National Museum of India, New Delhi. They have both collaborated on numerous books on Indian art and culture.
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