Collection Online as of March 23, 2023
Maharana Sangram Singh II (r. 1710–34) Worshipping a Linga Under a Banyan Tree
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
Page: 24.8 x 18.1 cm (9 3/4 x 7 1/8 in.); Miniature: 23.2 x 16.8 cm (9 1/8 x 6 5/8 in.)
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.144
Location
not on view
Fun Fact
A miniature sculpture of Nandi, the bull mount of Shiva, is next to the king on the terrace.
Description
The king kneels in worship at an ancient tree shrine on the banks of a lake. Such shrines were often associated with serpent deities, and a four-headed snake painted in gold is wrapped around the linga, the phallic emblem marking the sacred presence of the god Shiva. Flowers, packets of paan (areca nut and sweetmeats wrapped in betel leaf), coconuts, and a flower garland are among the offerings.