The Asiatic Society of Mumbai is set to host an engrossing session on Mughal era

Illustration from Aranyak Parvan. Pic Courtesy/The Asiatic Society of Mumbai

Can the imagination of artists and research by historians find common ground? The 17th Mani Kamerkar Endowment Lecture at The Asiatic Society of Mumbai will witness one such moment. Helmed by Professor Syed Ali Nadeem Rizvi, the annual lecture will focus on archival material of the Mughal period, says Usha Vijailakshmi, vice president of the society.

Syed Nadeem Ali Rezavi

"Rezavi is an expert on Mughal architecture and history," she adds, saying that his research will shed new light on the illustrations in the society's archives by examining the context in which they were created. Among the illustrations to be discussed is one showcasing the siege of Dwaraka, requested personally by Rezavi.

"It is an illustration from the Aranyak Parvan present in our archives," Vijailakshmi added, saying, "While it depicts the siege of Dwaraka, it shows two cannons. This implies that it was possibly created during the end of the Lodhi period and beginning of Babur's reign." The professor says the talk is for everyone: "As someone who has gone deep into it, professor Rezavi can help us learn better."

On: Today; 5.30 pm
At: Durbar Hall, The Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Fort
Log on to: @asiaticsociety-mumbai