Mughal Emperor Alamgir (Aurangzeb) Seated on a Throne

Sitting on a gold, jewel-encrusted throne is the aged Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (r. 1658-1707). He has a white mustache and a thick, full, white beard. He wears a white turban with a gold band and plume, a green overcoat, a long white robe (jama), and strands of large pearls. He sits against pink and green cushions with his legs folded under him. He holds up, in his left hand, a sheet of paper with a black inscription, while his right hand holds onto rosary. His throne, topped with an umbrella (chhatri), stands on an enclosed terrace. Above the depiction is written, “Alum Geer”. The inscription refers to Alamgir, which was Aurangzeb’s regnal title, meaning “He who seizes the universe”.