The subject of this poem is the historical meeting between Muiz al-Din Qaiqabad, Mamluk Sultan of Delhi (r. 1287–90), and his father Nasr al-Din Bughra Khan, the independent Sultan of Bengal (r. 1287–91). Qaiqabad was made sultan over his father, and this painting shows the moment after the two men have signed a peace treaty, in 1289 (AH 688). Upon Qaiqabad’s return to Delhi he is showered with gold coins. To his left stands a noble wearing a coat of silk velvet, similar to inv. 1437.

Although the story is an Indian one, it enjoyed widespread popularity for its tale of governance. This manuscript was made in Iran and bears a stamp with the words ‘Waqf [donation] of the blessed and pure Safavid threshold’, indicating that it was donated by Shah Abbas I (r. 1588–1629) to the Ardebil shrine, in 1608. The exceptional binding is signed ‘Made by Muhammad Salih of Tabriz’.