Payk

Persian servant running ahead of his master From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A payk was a groom running on foot, heralding his master on horse in medieval Persia.[2] The figure of the payk appears in many Persian medieval miniatures, and it became a stock figure. The payk' already appears in 1396 in miniatures commissioned by Jalayirid rulers, such as a Kalila and Dimna (1375-1385, Tabriz), or under Sultan Ahmad (ruled 1382–1410) at the end of the 14th century, in works such as Khwaju Kirmani's mathnavis (1396).[1] The payk is generally bare-legged, and equipped with a semi-circular axe.[1]

  • Shah Rukh on horse (right) is depicted making a triumphal entrance in Samarkand in 1394, after Timur named him Governor of the city. He is preceded by a customary Payk groom running on foot. Contemporary miniature, commissioned by Shah Rukh's son Ibrahim Sultan in his Zafarnama of 1436.
    Shah Rukh on horse (right) is depicted making a triumphal entrance in Samarkand in 1394, after Timur named him Governor of the city. He is preceded by a customary Payk groom running on foot.[3] Contemporary miniature, commissioned by Shah Rukh's son Ibrahim Sultan in his Zafarnama of 1436.[1][4]
  • "The New King Paraded around the Town on a White Elephant", Kalila and Dimna, 1375-1385, Tabriz. Topkaki Saray Museum, H.362
    "The New King Paraded around the Town on a White Elephant", Kalila and Dimna, 1375-1385, Tabriz. Topkaki Saray Museum, H.362
  • Timurid ruler Muhammad Juki preceded by two bare-legged running payk heralds (contemporary painting circa 1440)
    Timurid ruler Muhammad Juki preceded by two bare-legged running payk heralds (contemporary painting circa 1440)
A payk' in the Timurid Zafarnama of 1436.[1]

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