Sunday, December 25, 2016

Image: Ravana Prepares for Battle



Ravana Prepares for Battle
(British Library: Mewar Ramayana)

From the Library site: Cured of their wounds, the allies rejoin battle. Now Ravana's magician son Indrajit has finally been slain by Laksmana. Shaking off his grief, Ravana prepares himself for a final great effort. Having taken a bath within his tents, he emerges clad in golden armour and mounts his battle chariot drawn by eight white horses. Chowrie (fly-whisk) bearers, Brahmins, trumpet blowers and drummers salute him as he sets out with his troops. The bath prior to a battle is a Rajput convention not in the Ramayana text. Sahib Din depicts Ravana's tents in the imperial Mogul colour of red which they alone were allowed to use.

Detail: