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"The Night Battle of Kai Khusrau and Afrasiyab", Folio367v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
Painting attributed to Bashdan Qara Iranian
ca. 1525–30
Not on view
At nightfall, after a day-long battle against Afrasiyab and his army, Kai Khusrau warned his Iranian troops that Afrasiyab would certainly try a surprise night attack. The Iranians dug a ditch across the Turanian route, doused their lights, and maintained silence. Meanwhile, Afrasiyab ordered the attack on the Iranians. When the Turanian army neared the Iranian camp, they let out war cries and charged, but many fell in the trench, and the rest fled. Then Rustam went forward from one side, Giv, Tus, and Gudarz from the other, and massacred the Turanian army. Afrasiyab abandoned his troops and fled. This was his last battle against the Iranians. Bashdan Qara, who illustrated this scene, was one of the journeyman artists of the Shahnama, tasked most often with painting battle scenes.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "The Night Battle of Kai Khusrau and Afrasiyab", Folio367v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Artist: Painting attributed to Bashdan Qara (Iranian, active ca. 1525–1535)
  • Date: ca. 1525–30
  • Geography: Made in Iran, Tabriz
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting:
    H. 12 1/8 in. (30.8 cm)
    W. 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm)
    Entire Page:
    H. 18 9/16 in. (47.1 cm)
    W. 12 9/16 in. (31.9 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970
  • Object Number: 1970.301.48
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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