The Hamzanama
A heroic epic illustrated in India around 1570
By MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
MAK – Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): Emissaries bring news from the provinces of Khaybar and Chin to Anoshirvan (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
60 Paintings tell a Story
The Hamzanama is based on a story from a centuries-old oral tradition. It tells of Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib
(c. 569–625), the uncle of the prophet Muhammad (c. 570–632). The historical
Hamza was opposed to Islam at first until he converted in 615, after which he
became one of its most ardent advocate. The historical facts were embroidered
over the centuries with a variety of fictional events. The tales of the
Hamzanama are about the struggles of the Muslims against the “infidels” and the
attempt to convert them; likewise legendary sorcerers, demons and fairies,
daring heroes, brave women and trickster spies, who are said to have played a
role in the life of the Amir Hamza. They were commissioned by Akbar, the
“Great” (r. 1556–1605), probably the most influential of all Mughal rulers, and
were created between 1557 and 1577 in his court workshops. It is renowned as
one of the most important works of painting in the Islamic world. Today a total
of 200 out of the original 1 400 folios of Akbar’s Hamzanama have been
preserved in various collections worldwide. The MAK has the greatest quantity,
with 60 folios. This incongruence in preservation and the many oral versions of
Hamza’s story prevent a more precise determination of the sequence of the
folios.
Emissaries bring news from the provinces of Khaybar and Chin to Anoshirvan
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): Anoshirvan sends an army against Bahram (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Anoshirvan sends an army against Bahram
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5):Umar foils a plot against Hamza during a campaign against Greece (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Umar foils a plot against Hamza during a campaign against Greece
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): Feridun Shah, the king of Greece, converts to Islam and marries his daughter to Hamza (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Feridun Shah, the king of Greece, converts to Islam and marries his daughter to Hamza
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): Landhaur, the son of the king of Ceylon, is abducted in his sleep by a demon (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Landhaur, the son of the king of Ceylon, is abducted in his sleep by a demon
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): During a campaign Hamza kills the leader of the Qaf, people who have elephant ears (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
During a campaign Hamza kills the leader of the Qaf, people who have elephant ears
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): Landhaur frees Hamza's grandson from prison (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Landhaur frees Hamza's grandson from prison
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 1–5): Hamza's son Rostam and Mihrafroz are warned by startled birds (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Hamza's son Rostam and Mihrafroz are warned by startled birds
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 6): Hamza's son Rostam fighting Malafard (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Hamza's son Rostam fighting Malafard
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 7): Sherafgan breaks a talisman (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Sherafgan breaks a talisman
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Shahrashob seizes the Amir [...] and puts [him] in a boat (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Shahrashob seizes the Amir [...] and puts [him] in a boat
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Umar gets into a boat and goes after the Amir and [...] (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Umar gets into a boat and goes after the Amir and [...]
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Ayjil aand Alamshah are made acquainted, and Khwaja Nu'man's first trick in Takaw (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Ayjil aand Alamshah are made acquainted, and Khwaja Nu'man's first trick in Takaw
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Mahlaj shows his skill to Zumurrud Shah and runs a spear through a tree (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Mahlaj shows his skill to Zumurrud Shah and runs a spear through a tree
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Shahrashob brings the captured Hamza to Takaw (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Shahrashob brings the captured Hamza to Takaw
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Hamza is brought to prison (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Hamza is brought to prison
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Yunus meets Umar on the sea (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Yunus meets Umar on the sea
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Baba Junayd helps Hamza's companions and fends Shahrashob off (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Baba Junayd helps Hamza's companions and fends Shahrashob off
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Umar makes a tunnel and gets out of prison and rescues the Amir (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Umar makes a tunnel and gets out of prison and rescues the Amir
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): [unreadable] (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
[unreadable]
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Umar escapes from bondage and shaves the beard from Kamran's face (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Umar escapes from bondage and shaves the beard from Kamran's face
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): The Amir, Umar, and Umar Ma'dikarb come to the foot of the Noshad fortress (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
The Amir, Umar, and Umar Ma'dikarb come to the foot of the Noshad fortress
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): The coming of a veilded youth and the killing of Marku' Boar-Tooth (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
The coming of a veilded youth and the killing of Marku' Boar-Tooth
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Malik Qasim jumps into the river to save Badi'uzzaman (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Malik Qasim jumps into the river to save Badi'uzzaman
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Surkhab comes out of the mountain fortress and places his head on the Amir's foot (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Surkhab comes out of the mountain fortress and places his head on the Amir's foot
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Tahmasp grapples with Marzban, and Umar throws a stone at Tahmasp's head (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Tahmasp grapples with Marzban, and Umar throws a stone at Tahmasp's head
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Tul Zangi and Farrukhsuwar are captured by Tahmasp (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Tul Zangi and Farrukhsuwar are captured by Tahmasp
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Hamza fights Tahmasp (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Hamza fights Tahmasp
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Umar hits the foot soldier on the head with a staff, and the messages come out (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Umar hits the foot soldier on the head with a staff, and the messages come out
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Hamza is released from prison by his companions (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Hamza is released from prison by his companions
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): The Amir breaks his bonds, and Umar kills the witch Barvezan (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
The Amir breaks his bonds, and Umar kills the witch Barvezan
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): In combat, Qasim beheads Kayhur's Rhinoceros (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
In combat, Qasim beheads Kayhur's Rhinoceros
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Two brothers pick up an elephant on the field; Farrukhnizhad goes, picks the elephant up, and converts them to Islam (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Two brothers pick up an elephant on the field; Farrukhnizhad goes, picks the elephant up, and converts them to Islam
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Hamza, Landhaur, and Zumurrud Shah stand bound before Lakman's throne (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Hamza, Landhaur, and Zumurrud Shah stand bound before Lakman's throne
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): The Amir seizes the Queen of Zarduhusht and makes her Muslim (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
The Amir seizes the Queen of Zarduhusht and makes her Muslim
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Several thousand urns appear, and all of Zumurrud Shah's soldiers get on the urns (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Several thousand urns appear, and all of Zumurrud Shah's soldiers get on the urns
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): The veiled youth brings Malik Bahman out (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
The veiled youth brings Malik Bahman out
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Songhur Balkhi and Sabukpa Egi get up onto Qimar's Fortress with Lassos (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Songhur Balkhi and Sabukpa Egi get up onto Qimar's Fortress with Lassos
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): The Khwaja puts Bihbud, Qalmas , and Khwarmah into chests together with Pabus Ayyar (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
The Khwaja puts Bihbud, Qalmas , and Khwarmah into chests together with Pabus Ayyar
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Malak Mah comes to the camp of Islam by night, sees Sa'id Farrukhnizhad, and falls in love with him (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Malak Mah comes to the camp of Islam by night, sees Sa'id Farrukhnizhad, and falls in love with him
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Malak Mah kills Ambar Zangi at the prison door, and the Amir's Ayyars get him out (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Malak Mah kills Ambar Zangi at the prison door, and the Amir's Ayyars get him out
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): [...] in Arzan Ibrahim [overthrows] As Zangi [...] (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
[...] in Arzan Ibrahim [overthrows] As Zangi [...]
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Title: Mahiya and Zambur render Ghazanfar unconscious and throw him from the fortress into the sea (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Mahiya and Zambur render Ghazanfar unconscious and throw him from the fortress into the sea
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Princess Malak Mah and Hamza's spies search for Sa'id, when she is kidnapped by a sorceress (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Princess Malak Mah and Hamza's spies search for Sa'id, when she is kidnapped by a sorceress
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Songhur Balkhi and Lulu are welcomed by the spy Baba Bakhsha (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Songhur Balkhi and Lulu are welcomed by the spy Baba Bakhsha
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Khosh-Khiram cuts off Kajdast Ayyar's head (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Khosh-Khiram cuts off Kajdast Ayyar's head
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Malik Bahman meets with Sa'id's sons (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Malik Bahman meets with Sa'id's sons
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): A hand appears and carries off Umar Amali (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
A hand appears and carries off Umar Amali
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Hamid gets out of the city, Hamraq and Tamraq go after him and are killed, and [...] (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Hamid gets out of the city, Hamraq and Tamraq go after him and are killed, and [...]
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Mihrdukht shoots an arrow and sends the foot soldiers after it; she gets into a boat with an old man and sails away (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Mihrdukht shoots an arrow and sends the foot soldiers after it; she gets into a boat with an old man and sails away
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 11): Hamid achieves union with Mihrdukht (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Hamid achieves union with Mihrdukht
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume 14): Umar brings Hamza the ring of Zumurrud Shah (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Umar brings Hamza the ring of Zumurrud Shah
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Umar is thrown over the wall but is unharmed (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Umar is thrown over the wall but is unharmed
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Prince Badi'uzzaman fights Kharatish (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Prince Badi'uzzaman fights Kharatish
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Hamza tries to help Umar, but discovers the man is only an impostor (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Hamza tries to help Umar, but discovers the man is only an impostor
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Prince Badi'uzzaman fights Iraj (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Prince Badi'uzzaman fights Iraj
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Prince Rostam frees Khurshed Khawari from the captivity of a demon (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Prince Rostam frees Khurshed Khawari from the captivity of a demon
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Umayya frees Umar, who has been imprisoned by Iraj (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Umayya frees Umar, who has been imprisoned by Iraj
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Iraj fights Hamza's friend Asad (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Iraj fights Hamza's friend Asad
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Umar defeats a dragon (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Umar defeats a dragon
Folio from the Hamzanama (Volume unknown): Duel between a Muslim hero and a warrior astride a rhinoceros (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
Duel between a Muslim hero and a warrior astride a rhinoceros
MAK – Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art
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