Image: Bharata and Rama

Bharata and Rama, with Lakshmana, Sita, and Hanuman
(print by Raja Ravi Varma)

Note Rama's sandals on the throne, which took his place during his exile. You can find out more about Rama and Bharata at Wikipedia, and also about the artist Raja Ravi Varma. There is even an article about Rama's legendary sandals: Paduka.

Image: Bharata Seeks Rama

Bharata Seeks Rama

(British Library: Mewar Ramayana)

From the Library site: Bharata refused to be installed as king and resolved to find Rama and bring him back to Ayodhya. He set off with the foremost citizens of the city and a huge army and has reached the banks of the Ganges in Guha's kingdom. Bharata tells Guha to fetch enough boats to convey them all over the Ganges. They all then cross the river in flat-bottomed boats driven by paddles and with steersmen with long poles. The largest boat, in which are the princes, the Brahmins and their advisers, has a canopy and also a screen for the queens. Others convey the horses and army, while the elephants with their baggage are driven across by their mahouts. Some men swim across and are helped out of the water by Guha's people on the far bank. The two princes have now resolved to wear ascetics' garments like their exiled brothers.

Image: Rama Receives Bharata

Bharata finds Rama in the wilderness.

From the Freer Ramayana, circa 1600.

(Wikimedia)

You can read more about Bharata at Wikipedia.

Image: Bharata Meets Rama in Chitrakuta

Bharata meets Rama in Chitrakuta

19th-century painting.

(image source)

You can read more about Bharata at Wikipedia.

Image: Bharata Requests Rama's Sandals

Bharata requests Rama's sandals.

Balasaheb Pandit Pant Pratinidhi, 1916

(Wikimedia)

You can read more about Bharata at Wikipedia, and you can read about sandals also: Paduka.

Image: Bharata Arrives at Chitrakuta

Bharata arrives at Chitrakuta.

Illuminated Ramayana, circa 1800.

(Huntington Archive)

Details:

Image: Rama and Sita Enthroned

Rama and Sita Enthroned

Thanjavur, circa 1830

(British Museum)

From the Museum site: Opaque watercolour painting of Rāma and Sīta, enthroned in a palatial hall in Ayodhya, surrounded by Rāma’s three brothers – Lakṣmaṇa, Bharata holding a fly whisk and Shatrughna carrying the umbrella – and the seven mythical rishis. In the foreground Hanumān sits on his coiled tail supporting Rāma’s foot and a priest performs the fire oblation amid Rāma’s allies and courtiers. At the left, Sugriva distributes presents to the guests. A horse and an elephant, symbols of kingship, are at the bottom of the page.

Image: Bharata Finds Rama

Bharata Finds Rama

(British Library: Mewar Ramayana)

From the Library site: In this picture the action proceeds in an anti-clockwise manner from the top left. Rama greets his younger brothers Bharata and Satrughna by embracing them and smelling their heads. Sahib Din then depicts Rama taking his brothers on his lap as he asks after their welfare and how Bharata is governing the kingdom. Bharata tells him of their father's death and that he wants Rama to return to govern his kingdom. Rama faints when he hears the news of Dasaratha's death. All five go down to the river where the three exiles perform a ritual offering of water poured on a mat of sacred kusa grass. They then go up the hill again, and sit grieving outside the hut. 

Detail: Rama faints at the news of his father's death.

Image: Bharata Leaves Rama in the Forest

Bharata Leaves Rama in the Forest

(British Library: Mewar Ramayana)

From the Library site: Despite his brother's entreaties to return to rule Ayodhya, Rama remains steadfast in adhering to his father's command. He persuades Bharata, who offered to remain in exile in Rama's place, to govern the kingdom until his return after fourteen years. Bharata resolves to dress and behave as an ascetic until then. He has Rama put on some sandals which he will take back to Ayodhya with him and in the name of which he will govern the kingdom. The two brothers and Sita bid farewell to Bharata and Satrughna, to the Brahmins and to the queens. The chariots and litters then proceed back to Ayodhya, with Bharata carrying Rama's sandals on his head. In Ayodhya the sandals are placed on the throne and treated as the reigning monarch.

Detail: The sandals.

Image: Bharata sets out to find Rama

Bharata sets out to find Rama

(Image source: Freer Ramayana)

You can read about Bharata at Wikipedia and see the Freer Ramayana online: volume 1 and volume 2.

Detail:

Image: Bharata and Satrughna console Kausalya

Image source: Bharata and Satrughna console Kausalya

Detail:

Image: Marriage of Dasaratha's four sons

Image source: Marriage of Dasaratha's four sons

Detail: