There are numerous pictures of elephants in several historical, biographical and literary manuscripts illustrated for Akbar. This miniature painting of several elephants enjoying in and around a lotus pond is accurate attractive and full of vigour. It shows a herd of elephants in a playful mood. In the shallow pond are four elephants indulging in water play. Three more elephants on the immediate shore are just out of the water or are contemplating going into it. The two animals in the distant seem to be mature ones refusing to have anything to do with the younger lots' exuberant, playful activities. The background consists of undulating, grassy hills in green with clusters of rocks at intervals. A huge tree, partially visible on the right, is as naturalistically represented as the animals. The river flowing in the distance zig-zags its way through the hilly contours. The sky is softly shaded in brown, maintaining the subdued colour palette.
The artist's precise lines and the judicious use of colours brilliantly capture the unity in the herd, together with nature's bounty.
This description by Kiranjyot.
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