A camel in a landscape

It is possible that this image of a caparisoned camel against the background of a vast desert landscape was intended to recall the well-known Persian romance of Layla and Majnun or more likely the Punjabi romance of Sassi and Punnu. In the tragic story of Sassi's love for the prince Punnu, who has been abducted by Sassi's disapproving brothers, the heroine dies in the desert while trying to pursue her lover. Punnu, after escaping from his captors, tries to find his way back to Sassi. Riding through the desert on a camel, Punnu comes across Sassi's sandy grave and dies of grief. The lone camel in this painting vokes the story's tragic end.Chughtai produced at least one other image similar in composition to that shown here.