An illustration to a Bhagavata Purana series: Krishna fights Rukma, by a Master of the First Generation after Manaku and Nainsukh, North India, Punjab Hills, circa 1780-1810

This painting illustrates an episode from the Rukmani-Harana or Rukmani-Mangala (the Abduction of Rukmani), based on an episode of the Bhagavata Purana (Book X, cantos 52-54). The princess of Vidarbha, Rukmani, had fallen in love with Krishna although they had never met. She begs him to save her from an arranged marriage with Shishupala, who is a friend of Rukma, her brother. Krishna arrives in a chariot and rescues Rukmani in front of a Devi temple before the wedding takes place. The chariot is pursued by Rukma. The two are depicted here with Krishna striking Rukma with a mace. Krishna defeats Rukma and Rukmani begs him to spare her brother’s life. 

The painting has been attributed to a master artist from the first generation of the family workshop of Manaku and Nainsukh. Some of the most well-known series of paintings and individual works produced in the Pahari region between 1770 and 1810 have been attributed to artists from this family. For a list of known works, see Beach, Fischer and Goswamy 2011, pp.689-694. . For another painting attributed to this family workshop dated to circa 1770, depicting the wedding of Vishnu and Lakshmi, see Lot 63 in the present sale. Two folios from the same series as the present painting are in the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin (acc. no.68.7 and 68.8; Leach 1995, Vol.II, 11.94, 11.95, p.1083). Fourteen folios depicting the story of Prahlada from this Bhagavata Purana series are in the Royal Collection (RCINS 925226-925241; Hannam 2018, pp.168-185). 

A further folio, also formerly in the collection of Pearl King, sold at Bonhams London, 21 April 2015, lots 185. Another folio from the same collection depicting the mythical churning of the ocean, sold more recently in these rooms, 27 October 2021, lot 152.