This book captures the richness of India's natural history in images which reflect the very essence of Mughal art. Beautiful color plates highly illustrated depiction of birds, animals,flowers and plants that have been appreciated by art historians, and connisseurs alike. From the start of the Mughal rule in the early sixteenth century there was a strong interest in the flora and fauna of India. Babur, Humayun and Akbar took delight in the diversity of nature and artists at their courts were encouraged to draw on the theme. This volume also covers Mughal architecture and the decorative arts, birds, animals and floral motifs often embellished monuments as well as arms and armour, metalwork, carpets and textiles, with sensitive realism. Essays included on representations of mythical animals and on composite animal painting explain another unusually inventive genre with exceptionally striking illustrations