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Maharana Sangram Singh II hunting crane
(c. 1725)
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1980
- Gallery location
- Level 1, NGV International
About this work
Hunting was not only a recreational activity but also an important aspect of Rajput ceremonial and religious culture. In peacetime, orchestrated hunts could satisfy Rajput warrior instincts while providing opportunities to make sacrificial offerings to the Hindu deity of creation, Shiva. This ritual would ensure an ongoing harmonious existence with nature and facilitate necessities of life such as seasonal rains, healthy newborn children and a kingdom secure from intruders. The cultural significance of hunting is most graphically displayed in large panoramic tamasha scenes (depictions of court life, religious festivals and other royal activities), which are some of the most fascinating paintings produced by the Rajput courts.
Artwork Details
Felton Bequest, 1980
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation