"Alexander Fights a Sea Battle", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi

Art Historical Context

This vibrant folio, titled *Alexander Fights a Sea Battle comes from a luxurious *Khamsa* (Quintet)—a collection of five epic poems by 13th-century Persian poet Amirusrau Dihlavi. Created around 1597–98, in the ateliers of Mughal India, it captures a dramatic moment from the legendary adventures of Alexander the Greatknown as Iskandar in Islamic tradition). The artist, Dharmadas, illustrates the chaos of naval combat with boats, warriors on horseback, towering structures, and even whimsical details like rabbits and an ox amid the fray, blending heroism with the fantastical. Rendered in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper—with lavish gold-painted margins on dyed paper—this miniature exemplifies the pinnacle of Persianate manuscript illumination. At just 9¾ × 6¼ inches, its intimate scale invites close viewing, revealing fine lines and jewel-toned pigments that evoke the splendor of courtly life under Mughal patronage. Such codices were prized treasures, merging poetry, history, and mythology to celebrate universal tales of conquest and wisdom. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art Department (gift of Alexander Smith Cochran, 1913), this folio highlights Alexander's enduring cultural role as a philosopher-king in Islamic lore, bridging Greek legend with South Asian artistry. A true gem for visitors, it transports you to an era of poetic grandeur and masterful storytelling.

About the Artist

Dharmadas|Amir Khusrau Dihlavi ( |Indian) · |1228 – |1350

|Indian, Patiyali, 1253–1325 Delhi