This miniature, true to its name is a minute depiction of a vast scent. It depicts an incident wherein the emperor decided to hold a 'qamargah', a spectacular hunt in the style of the Timurids. A ten-mile circular area was marked out and all the game within it was driven towards the centre from the outer edges. For them, hunting was not simply an amusement; it was also a very shrewd stratagem.
This painting shows the view from a long distance, so as to cover the entire scenario. In the green hilly area is one minaret where the emperor stands with some of his important courtiers. On the trees spread around a large area are men positioned to hit the target. The capture of tigers and leopards was the most remarkable of all arts of the hunt in Hindustan: the animal had to be lured into a specially dug pit.
Extensive forests, scores of the wild beasts some of them injured and bleeding, men in Mughal attire, all form part of the painting a few inches in length and width. Most of the painting consists of green vegetation. The steel grey sky which is slightly inconspicuous marks a gloomy day for the beasts of the jungle. It is a remarkable painting not only because of its size but minute detail and excellent composition.
This description by Kiranjyot
Of Related Interest:
Akbar Hunting (folio from the Akbar-nama)
Jehangir's Lion Hunt
Mughal Hunting Scene
After the Hunt
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