UNIQUE ILLUSTRATED MANUSCRIPT FOR PRINCE KHUSRAU MALIK GHAZNAVI AROUND 1150 AD,
WESTERN SCHOLARS RELUCTANT TO CREDIT LAHORE WITH THIS CREATION OF GHAZNI INSPIRED

Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi founded the city of Lahore in a new phase and named it Mahmudabad. Coins were minted here in Lahore, and a golden coin was discovered in the Lahore Fort. With Sultan Bahram Shah, the might of the Ghaznavids was coming to an end. Bahram Shah sought recluse in Lahore after Ghazni was invaded and destroyed by the Ghauris. He ruled for decades. His son Khusrau Malik ruled Lahore for eight years. He lived here and died here. During his reign literary activity continued and here is proof of that. An illustrated manuscript of Fables of Bidpai, done in Lahore, around 1150 AD.

The fables of Bidpai involve the two foxes KALILA AND DIMNAH, and the fight between good and evil, recited through animal fables. The originator was Panchatantra. In two of the miniatures, the King Dabshallim and the Brahman philosopher story teller Bidpai are shown, and the poses reveals the local origin. In fact the poses are the origin of the many miniatures of Hindu Rajas which come to us though time. Enjoy!