Scenes of falconry in Islamic Depiction: Selected Models from the tenth to the twelfth century AH / sixteenth to eighteenth century AD

This study aims to establish a foundation for the sport of falconry by describing and analyzing selected images that date from the beginning of the tenth century to the end of the twelfth century AH (sixteenth to eighteenth century AD). The researcher arranged the images chronologically according to the three schools of Islamic painting that were contemporary with this history: the Ottoman, Indian Mughal, and Safavid schools. It is worth noting that this sport, which originated before the emergence of Islam, was popular in Arab countries, including Egypt, where the Bedouins practiced it in the deserts. The sport served not only for entertainment and pleasure but also as training in martial arts when horses were used. Sultans, kings, and princes were often depicted participating in this traditional sport. The study is based on identifying and examining seven scenes related to falconry in some Islamic manuscripts that belong to the aforementioned schools of Islamic painting. The study uses a descriptive and analytical approach to highlight the importance of this intangible cultural heritage across successive Islamic eras and in the countries that Islam entered. Finally, the study emphasizes the crucial role that Islamic art played in preserving our intangible cultural heritage.