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Unknown (Punjab Hills, Chamba)
The Abduction of Rukmini, ca. 1800
cotton embroidered with silk and metallic thread
38 3/4 x 40 9/16 in.
Museum purchase, Charles Webb Fund
78.3







 
DISCUSS

Unknown (Punjab Hills, Chamba)
The Abduction of Rukmini, ca. 1800

This rumal, or cloth covering used to wrap gifts or offerings, illustrates different events from the life of the Hindu god Krishna. Click the Explore tab to learn more about Krishna's life story.

Can you spot the following items in the rumal?

  • 3 images of Krishna (Krishna is usually portrayed as a blue-skinned male youth wearing a peacock feather crown and a yellow silk dhoti, a cloth garment worn around the waist by men)
  • A fortress
  • 3 elephants
  • A winged demon
  • 9 soldiers with blue swords
  • 3 chariots
  • A bird

What other details do you notice? Why do you think the artist decided to include so many figures?



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