here is the picture

http://asia.si.edu/exhibitions/online/SouthAsian/paint2.htm

what items/people/colors are symbolic?
What do you think the painting means? What was Bichitr trying to say? Is there anything you would like to comment or point out about the painting?

The impact of European as well as Persian styles on Mughal painting under Jahangir is evident in Bichtr is allegorical portrait of Jahangir seated on an hourglass throne, a miniature from an albun made for the emperor around 1615-1618. As teh sands of time run out, two cupids (clothed, unlike their European models more closely copied at the top of the painting) inscribed the throne with the wish that jahangir would live a tousand years. Bitchitr portrayed his patron as n emperor above tiem & also placed behind Jahangir is head a radiant halo combining a golden sun & a white crescent moon, indicating that Jahangir is the center of the universe & its light source. One of the inscriptions on the painting gives the emperor is title as ''Light of the Faith.''
At the left r four figures. The lowest, both spatially & in the social hierarchy, is the Hindu painter Bichitr himself, wearing a red turban. He holds a miniature representing two horses & an elephant, costly gifts from jahangir, & another self-portrait.
In the miniature-within- the miniature, Bichitr bows deeply before the emperor. In the larger painting, the artist signed his name across the top ofthe footstool Jahangir uses to step up to his hourglass throne. Thus, the ruler steps on Bichitr is name, further indicating the painter is inferior status.
Above Bichitr is a portrait in fill European style of King James l of England, copied from a painting by John de Critz taht the English ambassador to the Mughal court had given as a gift to Jahangir. Above the king is a Turkish sultan, a convincing study of physiognomy, but probably not an specific portrait. The highest member of the foursome in an elderly Muslim Sufi shaykh (mystic saint). Jahangir is father, Akbar, had gone to the mystic to pray for an heir. The current emperor, the answer to Akbar is prayers, represent the holy man with a sumptuous book as a gift. An inscription explains that ''although to all appearances kings stand before him, Jahangir looks inwardly toward the dervishes [slamic holy men]'' for guidance. Bichitr is allegorical painting portroys his emperor in both words & pictured as favoring spiritual over wordly power.