An illustration from the Hamir Hath: the death of Hamir

The Rajasthani ballad, the Hamir Hath, relates the story of the downfall of Hamir the heroic but arrogant ruler of the Rajput principality of Ranthambore. The scene above depicts the closing chapter of the story where Hamir, who has lost to the forces of Ala-ud-din, the Sultan of Delhi, chooses death over defeat and commits ritual suicide at a Shiva shrine. The narrative begins at the lower left as Hamir annoints his successor and then beheads himself over a Shiva linga at center while his mourning soldiers and courtiers pay tribute to him. On the upper right we see the leaping flames of the funeral pyre at his fortress where the ladies of his court have committed ritual self-immolation or jauhar.

For other scenes from this story and for further discussion, see Karl Khandalavala, Pahari Miniature Painting, 1958, nos. 185 & 186, pp. 230 & 232. For further illustrations from the same series,  see Sotheby's New York, April 1, 2005, lots 115 & 116 and Sotheby's New York, September 20, 2005, lot 115.