Mughal Painting from the Imperial Library of Delhi, A.D. 1640

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THE PRINCES OF THE HOUSE OF TIMUR
MUGHAL PAINTING FROM THE IMPERIAL LIBRARY OF DELHI, A.D. 1640

TALAR (HALL OF AUDIENCE) RUG

From the looms of Ispahan or the adjoining city of Joshagan. Made during the reign of Shah Suleiman (A.D. 1667-1694), upon the model of Chahar Bagh Royal Garden at Ispahan, on the grounds of which the Royal Pavilion of Hasht Bahisht (Eight Paradises) stands. The Rug measures 29 feet by 9 feet 5 inches.

Lord Curzon in his History of Persia, Vol. II, page 38, gives the following description of the Garden of Chahar Bagh:

"At the upper extremity a two storeyed Pavilion connected by a corridor with the Seraglio of the palace, so as to enable the ladies of the harem to gaze unobserved upon the merry scene below, looked out upon the centre of the avenue. Water conducted in stone channels ran down the centre, falling in cascades from terrace to terrace, and was occasionally collected in great square or octagonal basins where cross roads cut the avenues. On either side of the central channel was a row of chenars and a paved pathway for pedestrians, then occurred a succession of open parterres, usually planted or sown. Next on either side was a second row of chenars, between which and flanking walls was a raised causeway for horsemen. At intervals corresponding with the successive terraces and basins, arched doorways with recessed open chambers overhead conducted through these walls into the various royal or noble gardens that stretched on either side and were known as the gardens of the throne; nightingale, vines, mulberries, Dervishes, etc. Some of these pavilions were places of public resort and were used as coffee houses, where when the business of the day was over the good burghers of Ispahan assembled to sip that beverage and inhale their Kalians the while. At the bottom quays lined the banks of the river and were bordered with the mansions of the nobility."