Prince Riding an Elephant

Khem Karan

Elephants were highly prized at Indian courts, greatly appreciated as gifts, and eagerly sought as booty in military campaigns. Paintings of several admired elephants were made at the Mughal court, much as portraits were made of courtiers and nobles. Khem Karan, whose signature appears at the bottom of the picture, was a well-known painter in Akbar’s atelier.