King Dasharatha sends his chief minister Sumantra to summon Rama, from Chapter 16 of the Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya), folio 18 of a “Shangri” Ramayana (Rama’s Journey) Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, possibly Rajput Kingdom of Chamba, court of Udai Singh (reigned 1690–1720)

King Dasharatha sends his chief minister Sumantra to summon Rama, from Chapter 16 of the Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya), folio 18 of a “Shangri” Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)

c. 1690–1710

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Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, possibly Rajput Kingdom of Chamba, court of Udai Singh

(reigned 1690–1720)

Gum tempera and ink on paper

Overall: 22.5 x 32.7 cm (8 7/8 x 12 7/8 in.)

Gift of Norman Zaworski in honor of Sherman and Ruth Lee 1996.361

Location: not on view

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Did You Know?

Dasharatha’s chief wife Kaushalya, mother of Rama, kneels on the golden stool.

Description

Seated upon a golden stool before her husband, Queen Kaushalya agrees that the time has come for him to retire and their son Rama to be crowned king of Ayodhya. King Dasharatha gestures to his minister to fetch Rama so they can give him the news of their decision. The scene takes place in the private apartments of the palace, guarded by a stern staff-bearer at the door. In the top margin, the number “18” is written in Takri, the regional script used in the western Himalayas.