What role did Dutch merchants play in the dissemination of Golconda's art in the seventeenth century?

1. They were the artists behind the paintings.
2. They were collectors of Golconda paintings.
3. They carried Golconda portraits to Europe.
4. They commissioned Golconda artists.

3

Answer: They carried Golconda portraits to Europe.
Dutch merchants played a crucial role in making Golconda's art popular by carrying portraits of sultans to Europe in the late seventeenth century.

Golconda’s art became popular as Dutch merchants carried the portraits of sultans in the late seventeenth century to Europe. These were probably done for the bazaar and had references to royal paintings. The earlier Golconda paintings, dated 1635–1650, at times as large as eight feet high, were made to be used as wall hangings. These paintings are covered with pictorial designs, generally, figures in architectural settings of varied origin.