Shikar — Mughal Hunting Scene Area Rug

Hunters on horseback, cheetahs in full stride and deer in flight race across a sage-green landscape of rocks and blossoming trees.

Shikar means the hunt, and this rug follows the pictorial hunting carpets of Emperor Akbar's time, around 1600, when the royal chase was one of the court's favorite subjects. Its hunters, cheetahs and antelope are re-drawn from an early hunt scene by the court painter Govardhan, painted about 1602–04, with cheetahs from an Akbarnama hunt, both in our restored archive. Trained hunting cheetahs were prized at Akbar's court.

A madder-red border of golden palmettes and blue scrolls, edged with ivory guard stripes, holds all the movement in a balanced frame.

Designed by Aurah Living with AI-assisted tools, drawing on paintings from our restored Mughal archive.

Perfect for

• Family rooms and dens that welcome a story
• Studies and offices with heritage character
• Lovers of Mughal history and the Akbarnama

Rug details

• Size: 48 × 72 in (4 × 6 ft); sizes may vary by up to 3.5 in
• 100% polyester chenille with a soft, dense surface
• Dye-sublimation print for vivid, lasting color
• Hemmed edges
• Coated grey woven backing
• One-sided print

Care

• Vacuum on suction only, without a beater bar
• Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent
• Keep out of strong direct sunlight to protect the colors