Abd al-Rahim ibn Muhammad Bairam Khan Khan-i Khanan

Abd al-Rahim ibn Muhammad Bairam Khan Khan-i Khanan was an artist active in manuscript illumination and production during the period 1590 to 1591. Although his documented career appears brief, five related manuscript folios are currently held in major institutional collections, specifically within the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The known works attributed to Abd al-Rahim ibn Muhammad Bairam Khan Khan-i Khanan are integral parts of a Razmnama, an illustrated translation of the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. The five folios preserved in museum collections focus on dramatic narrative moments and large-scale battle sequences.

Specific works include The White Horse Got Stuck to a Rock in Mount Vindhyachal, Arjuna Battles Raja Tamradhvaja, and Bhima Defeats Duryodhana. Other recognized illustrations are Asvatthama Fires the Narayana Weapon (Cosmic Fire) at the Pandavas and Fighting Arjuna, Susarma Unleashes the Suparna Weapon which Invokes Garuda. These five detailed Abd al-Rahim ibn Muhammad Bairam Khan Khan-i Khanan paintings serve as key evidence of manuscript styles prevalent in the late sixteenth century.

The survival of these folios in the Metropolitan Museum of Art establishes his representation in global art history. Due to their age and historical importance, these works often enter the public domain, allowing institutions to make high-quality prints and downloadable artwork available for scholarly research.