Manuscript illustrations were conceived as sets of loose folios. Wher…

Manuscript illustrations were conceived as sets of loose folios. Where in such a set would one find the names of the patron, artist or scribe, and the date and place of commission or completion of the work?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → On the colophon page of the set

Option (1) In the demarcated space at the top of each folio — Incorrect. This space holds the corresponding text of the painting, the verses it illustrates. It does not hold the details of the patron or artist.
Option (2) On the reverse side of each folio — Incorrect. The reverse is the other place where the corresponding text of a folio was inscribed. It is not where the record of the work was given.
Option (3) On the colophon page of the set — Correct. The colophon page was the most important folio-page of a set. It gave the names of the patron, artist or scribe, and the date and place of the work.
Option (4) On the cloth in which the set was wrapped — Incorrect. The cloth only wrapped the set, which was then stored as a bundle in the library of the king or patron.

Note: This topic was not named in the CUET 2026 syllabus, but it was part of the NCERT chapter. In 2025 and 2026, NTA also asked questions on topics in NCERT that the CUET syllabus did not name. So our mocks have questions from every part of the NCERT chapter, to give you enough practice. Read the whole chapter, not only the sub-topics named in the syllabus.

NCERT (2026-27): “The Manuscript Painting Tradition …Manuscript illustrations were methodically conceived in thematic sets (each set comprising several loose paintings or folios). Each folio of painting has its corresponding text inscribed either in the demarcated space on the upper portion of the painting or on its reverse. … Each set was wrapped up in a piece of cloth and stored as a bundle in the library of the king or patron.

The most important folio-page of the set would be the colophon page, which would furnish information regarding the names of the patron, artist or scribe, date and place of commission or completion of the work, and other such important details.…”

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → On the colophon page of the set

Option (1) In the demarcated space at the top of each folio — Incorrect. This space holds the corresponding text of the painting, the verses it illustrates. It does not hold the details of the patron or artist.
Option (2) On the reverse side of each folio — Incorrect. The reverse is the other place where the corresponding text of a folio was inscribed. It is not where the record of the work was given.
Option (3) On the colophon page of the set — Correct. The colophon page was the most important folio-page of a set. It gave the names of the patron, artist or scribe, and the date and place of the work.
Option (4) On the cloth in which the set was wrapped — Incorrect. The cloth only wrapped the set, which was then stored as a bundle in the library of the king or patron.