HYDERABAD, DECCAN, SOUTH INDIA, CIRCA 1780-1820

Farhad carrying Shirin and her weary horse is an illustration from a copy of the Khamsa, an anthology of five poems written by the 12th century Persian poet Nizami. The Khamsa was a popular subject for lavishly illustrated manuscripts at the Persian, Mughal and Deccani courts. The story of the mason Farhad and the beautiful princess Shirin is a tragic love story part of a longer tale about King Khusraw and Shirin. Inspired by his love for Shirin, Farhad carved reliefs of Shirin and her husband Khusraw into the hill of Behistun. Shirin travelled a long way to come and see the reliefs. Exhausted after her journey, Farhad carried her and her almost lifeless horse back to the palace.

Shams al-Umara belonged to an important aristocratic family in Hyderabad with strong affiliations with the Nizams. He became the first divan (minister) to Sikandar Jah, the third Nizam of Hyderabad (r.1803-1829) (M. Zebrowski, 1983, p.271).