A man kneeling before an ascetic accompanied by a dog

Various paintings produced under the Muslim Mughal dynasty (1526-1858) depict Hindu religious figures such as the one shown standing in this painting. The bearded man can be identified as a yogi, a member of a religious order that emphasized the renunciation of worldly pleasures and the strict practice of yogic and meditative postures. His shawl, staff, round bag, and pet dog are found in other paintings depicting yogis, but he lacks other attributes that could assist in identifying his specific affiliation. An inscription below the feet of the yogi names Shankar as the artist. Shankar's work is found in several imperial manuscripts produced under the emperors Akbar (1556-1605) and Jahangir (1605-1628).

In addition to Hindu yogis—male and female—Jain monks and Muslim Sufi dervishes were also depicted in Mughal paintings. The Mughals and many of their contemporaries were fascinated by these religious figures, who were thought to possess great spiritual powers.