Mughal Hats are for Mughal Nobility: The Theologian and the Slave-Girl.

Today's examination is another of Akbar's commissioned works saved at the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford. The description:

The theologian and the slave-girl. Abdullah Ibn Jafer presents the singing girl to the scholar who has been distracted from his studies and religion by his overpowering love for her. Illustration of Baharistan, by Jami.

Let's lighten this up. Jami's works come from the 15th century - he was an active artist from 1414 to 1492. This piece was created by an artist named Mukund. I haven't been able to find the story.

But I don't really need a story to see what's going on here. The description is all I need. What I find intriguing is that the only person named is Abdullah Ibn Jafer, who is apparently the man kneeling at the scholar's feet. The other three are the scholar, a woman who appears to be making a statement, and a girl behind her.

If the slave-girl is being presented, I would assume the girl on the right is said slave-girl. She wears a veil but no hat.

The woman who appears to be presenting her along with Abdullah IS wearing a taqi, complete with veils. Everything about her appears to be of early Mughal costume - a long dupatta-like veil, an underdress, her jewelry.

If she is Mughal, this slave-girl might have been of her harem. And slaves weren't Mughal. Mughal is an adopted culture, not a heritage. This seems to be borne out here.

Perhaps.