"'Umar Walks around Fulad Castle, Meets a Foot Soldier and Kicks Him to the Ground", Folio from a Hamzanama (The Adventures of Hamza) 1545 - 1595

This dynamic painting by Kesav Das, from a Hamzanama, presents a vivid scene of conflict and power. Note the fallen soldier, pierced by arrows, and the triumphant ‘Umar, poised to deliver a decisive kick. Consider the recurring motif of the 'triumph over the vanquished,' echoing through centuries and cultures. We find it in Roman battle reliefs, Renaissance depictions of mythical heroes, and even in modern political cartoons. This motif taps into a primal narrative—the assertion of dominance and the subjugation of the other. The act of kicking, a gesture laden with contempt, is not merely physical; it's a symbolic degradation. Think of the countless images where conquerors place their foot on the necks of defeated foes. This echoes a deep-seated psychological need to visibly assert superiority, a need that transcends time and geography. The emotional intensity of this act ensures its enduring presence in art, reminding us of the cyclical nature of power and its visual manifestations across history.