Nadira Banu ki Maut

Nadira Begum, wife of Darah Shikoh, the heir apparent of Shah Jahan, endured many hardships with her husband on account of Aurangzeb’s rise to power. She is painted here at the time of her death while she was on her way with her family, in Bolan Pass, present-day Pakistan. Bagchi paints an emotional episode of Nadira dying in her husband’s lap. She’s clasped her youngest son’s hand even as her other son covers his hand on his face. Her daughter and another figure offer prayers for the departed soul.