This portrait of a youthful courtier is identified by two small inscriptions. The one above his head reads, amal-i-ghulam (“work of the slave” or “work of Ghulam”). Below the figure reads, Shah Salim (the title used by Prince Salim [the future Emperor Jahangir, r. 1605-1627] during his rebellion at Allahabad in 1600-1604). In identifying the artist, in 1978 Milo Beach interpreted “ghulam” as the proper name of the Allahabadi artist later referred to as Mirza Ghulam (a view reportedly shared by A.K. Das). In 1993 Pratapaditya Pal (following Robert Skelton and B.N. Goswamy) argued that the artist was likely Aqa Riza (active circa 1588-circa 1631) or Abu'l Hasan (India, active 1600-1630). More recently, in 2012 and 2013 Beach reiterated his attribution.
The Persian-style portrait depicts a seated youth holding a wine cup and a wine flask (surahi). He is placed against a light green background with small hillocks barely discernable. The figure’s heavily shaded face, coloration, and the subtle modeling of the background reveal its Indian origin.
The Persian verses in the two panels, perhaps composed by the poet Hafiz (1327-1390), read:
I have seen my beloved’s reflection in the cup,
O, ignorant man, you do not understand why
I am constantly intoxicated.
(Translation by Robert Skelton.)
