Amusement during a Dance Performance

Moin-ul-Mulk (also known as Mir Mannu), Subahdar of Lahore (in green) in his darbar smoking a hookah whilst sexual antics or orgies take place before him. Painted by Nainsukh of Guler, circa 18th century. "Unexpected, sudden happenings at a dance performance are the subject of this amusing painting. The suggestion seems to be that while two dancing girls are performing, some minor functionaries or guests, Afghans or Iranians perhaps, judging from their tall fur-based caps, are suddenly overcome by passion and, unable to control themselves, rush forward to take the women into their eager arms. Since the performance was for the benefit of the Nawab who is sitting under the canopy but who has nothing to do with the curious turn that events have taken, he is seized by uncontrollable laughter and steadies himself by leaning forward, head bent and gaze a little unsteady. The Nawab's companion or counsellor, an uncommonly obese man who sits just beyond the canopy, is also greatly amused and breaks into peals of laughter: he has in fact to hold his ample girth with one hand in order to steady himself. Meanwhile, the hapless women try and fend off their lustful admirers: one of them nearly