Illustrated leaf from the Tarikhnama of Abu 'Ali Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Bal'ami; Afshin and Babak arriving at Samarra. Persia, Safavid dymasty, 16th century

A LARGE ILLUSTRATED LEAF FROM THE TARIKHNAMA OF ABU 'ALI MUHAMMAD BIN MUHAMMAD AL-BAL'AMI: AFSHIN AND BABAK ARRIVING AT SAMARA
PERSIA, SAFAVID DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY
Image 10 ¾ x 8 ¾ in. (27.3 x 22.2 cm.)

The present leaf is from the tenth-century historical text the Tarikhnama, or “Book of History,” by the Samanid vizier Abu ‘Ali Muhammad bin Muhammad al-Bal’ami (d. 974). The book spans a period from the creation of the universe through the Islamic age at which it was recorded. The present scene represents the Persian revolutionary Babak Khorramdin (c. 795-838) captured by Abbasid general Khaydhar ibn Kawus al-Afshin (d. 841). Afshin, upon the camel, parades Babak, upon the elephant, into Samara, as the town celebrates Afshin’s military success. This large illustration is narrated in Persian with nasta’liq script upon an interlinear gilt ground.