# Shishupala arguing with Rukmini’s father, Bhishmaka, from a Rukmini Haran

- Date: c. 1800
- Medium: Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
- Classification: Painting
- Dimensions: Image: 21.6 x 30.5 cm (8 1/2 x 12 in.); Overall: 24.5 x 33 cm (9 5/8 x 13 in.)
- Culture: Northern India, Pahari kingdoms
- Credit line: Edwin R. and Harriet Pelton Perkins Memorial Fund
- Museum: [Cleveland Museum of Art](https://clevelandart.org/art/1984.66)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://invisiblenetwork.ai/thumbs/cma/1984.66/1984.66_web.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

One painting from a series depicting stories from the life of the Hindu god Krishna, this scene shows a villain named Shishupala arguing with a king. The king, in purple, sits in front of an embroidered gold cushion. His daughter, Princess Rukmini, is engaged to marry Shishupala, whom she despises and calls a “thieving jackal.” Shishupala is angry, because he heard that Krishna is plotting to kidnap Rukmini and marry her himself. Courtiers look on with concern.

The artist shows awareness of Mughal costume, jewelry, and architectural forms, placing this mythological scene in a Mughal court setting.