Ravana deceiving Sita with the illusion of Rama's severed head Mughal India, 1594 AD Folio 251 or 252 recto (p. 506?), Ravana and Sita contemplating the head of Rama as they sit in a golden pavilion, a line of demons stand in the foreground by the gate, in the background the monkeys hold a conference with Rama and Lakshman four lines of black nasta'liq within panels, verso with 18ll. of text within red and gold outlines

The subject here is Ravana deceiving the captive Sita as Rama's army approaches his palace in Lanka. He commanded the magician, Vidyjjihva to create the illusion of Rama's severed head and his bow and arrows in order to trick Sita into thinking that Ravana's forces had defeated Rama in battle. When Sita was abducted, Rama and Lakshman joined forces with Sugriva, king of the monkeys and with Hanuman, his general. They are shown here in conference in the top left corner in a very fine detail.