Which region is conjectured to be a significant early centre of painting in Rajasthan?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Mewar
Option (1) Jaipur — Incorrect. Jaipur’s own style, a blend of Mughal and indigenous features, emerged only in the eighteenth century under Sawai Pratap Singh. It is not the one called an early centre.
Option (2) Bikaner — Incorrect. Bikaner is known as one of the best documented schools, with its Bahis and inscriptions. It is not the one called an early centre.
Option (3) Mewar — Correct. Mewar is the conjectured early centre. From it a continuous stylistic tradition could have been formed, though wars with the Mughals wiped out most early works.
Option (4) Bundi — Incorrect. Bundi’s earliest phase is the Bundi Ragamala, painted at Chunar near Benaras. It is not the one called an early centre.
NCERT (2026-27): “Mewar School of Painting Mewar is conjectured to be a significant early centre of painting in Rajasthan, from where, hypothetically, one would have been able to formalise a continuous stylistic tradition of painting — from pre-seventeenth century bold, indigenous styles to the subsequent refined and finer style post Karan Singh’s contact with the Mughals. However, long wars with the Mughals have wiped out most early examples.” |