Rustam Brings the Div King to Kai Kavus for Execution — Shahnama

This miniature depicts a formal scene from the Persian epic the Shahnama, where the hero Rustam stands before King Kai Kavus, who is seated on an ornate throne under a tent. In the foreground, the captive Div King, portrayed with dark skin, is being held or executed by soldiers. The composition features vibrant colors, intricate textile patterns, and a gathered assembly of warriors in a stylized landscape.

The Shahnama, or 'Book of Kings', serves as a foundational epic for Persian identity and statecraft, often studied within the context of Islamic political philosophy and the ethics of kingship. It reflects the intersection of pre-Islamic Zoroastrian heroic traditions with the subsequent Islamic cultural milieu of the Safavid era.