Nizamuddin Awliya with three attendants. From a Khamsa (Quintet) by Amir Khusraw Dihlavi, c. 1450. Creator: Anonymous

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Nizamuddin Awliya with three attendants. From a Khamsa (Quintet) by Amir Khusraw Dihlavi, c. 1450. Creator: Anonymous

Nizamuddin Awliya with three attendants. From a Khamsa (Quintet) by Amir Khusraw Dihlavi, c. 1450. Found in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum

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Media ID 36304193

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1450 Gouache On Parchment Illuminated Art Illuminated Letter Illuminated Manuscript Islamic Art Khusrau Manuscript Illumination Miniature The Oriental Arts

EDITORS COMMENTS
In this exquisite 15th-century miniature painting from the Indian subcontinent, we find ourselves in the revered presence of Nizamuddin Auliya, a prominent Sufi saint of the Delhi Sultanate era. The image is taken from the Khamsa (Quintet), an illuminated manuscript composed by Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, a renowned poet and musician of the same period. Nizamuddin Auliya, dressed in a flowing robe, sits serenely on a raised platform, his eyes closed in deep meditation. Three attendants stand before him, each engaged in an act of devotion. The attendant on the saint's right holds a bowl, possibly offering water for ablutions. The attendant on his left plays the rabab, a stringed musical instrument, while the one behind him holds a fan to keep the saint cool. The painting's intricate details and vibrant colors bring the scene to life. The use of gold leaf and precious stones in the illuminated lettering and borders adds to the artwork's grandeur. The artist's mastery of gouache on parchment technique is evident in the smooth texture and rich hues of the painting. The mythological significance of this image lies in the allegorical meaning of the three attendants. They represent the three aspects of the divine: the Creator (Allah), the Prophet (Muhammad), and the Sufi saint (Nizamuddin Auliya). The attendant playing the rabab symbolizes Amir Khusrau himself, who was known for his poetic and musical talents. This magnificent artwork, now housed in the Smithsonian National Museum, is a testament to the rich artistic heritage of the Delhi Sultanate period and the profound influence of Sufi culture on Islamic art. It invites us to reflect on the spiritual journey of the Sufi saint and the role of music and poetry in connecting us to the divine.

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