A miniature depicting a family of cheetahs relaxing on a patch of luxuriant grass in a rocky landscape, attributed to one of Akbar’s favourite artists, Basawan, has set the record for the most expensive work of classical Indian art at Christie’s London auction on October 28.

Sold for GBP 10,245,000 (approximately Rs 119.49 crore) at Christie’s auction of “Exceptional Paintings from The Personal Collection of Prince & Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan”, the painting, titled “A Family of Cheetahs in a Rocky Landscape” circa 1575-80, sold for 14 times over its estimate.

The “highly important work” in the history of early Mughal art, sold close to M F Husain’s 1954 Untitled (Gram Yatra) which became the most expensive Indian painting after selling for USD 13.75 million at a Christie’s New York auc

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