Jahangir Shooting the Head of Malik Ambar

The principal subject is Jahangir, shooting a second arrow through the severed head of Malik Ambar, impaled upon a javelin. He stands upon a globe, featuring India at the center. This is a reference to his regnal title Jahangir (literally "world seizer").^[3] A lion and a goat are represented on the globe, depicting the "dad u dam" (transl. "beast and prey") theme.^[7] The globe is situated upon the horns of a cow, which in turn is standing on a fish. The cow and fish are both Islamic symbols of kingship.^[4] Jahangir being on top of this group of objects thus symbolizes his status as the sovereign of the material and spiritual realms.^[8]

To the right is a golden stand, on which is a disk containing the seal of Jahangir, surmounted by a plumed crown. On the seal are the full titles of Jahangir, and his genealogy tracing back to Timur.^[6] A bird of paradise flies above this stand.^[4]

To the left is the severed head of Malik Ambar, with an open mouth and eyes rolled back, is depicted without a turban, and thus a disrespectful portrayal. One arrow has already struck the head.^[9] An owl is perched on top of the head. The owl, in Islamic symbology, is an inauspicious bird and a symbol of death, and Jahangir reportedly asked for its inclusion himself.^[3] The dead mate of this bird hangs from the javelin, below the severed head. A chain with bells connects the javelin to the globe, with a scale suspended from it. This chain is the zanjir-i adal (chain of justice), placed in the Mughal capital, where any subject might ring it seeking the emperor's justice.^[7] Jahangir's musket is also depicted, resting by the javelin.^[4]

The following text is inscribed below the scale: "Through the justice of Shah Nur al-Din Jahangir, the lion has sipped milk from the teat of the goat".^[7]

Another version, considered to be a later copy painted in the 19th century, exists in the Smithsonian.^[2][6]

• Skelton, Robert (1988). "Imperial Symbolism in Mughal Painting". In Soucek, Priscilla (ed.). Content and Context of Visual Arts in the Islamic world. ISBN 978-0-271-00614-7.