In the Western Indian School, merchants were powerful patrons of art. Which community largely represented this merchant class?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Jain
The merchant class was largely represented by the Jain community. These merchants became patrons of themes related to Jainism, so the part of the school with Jain themes is called the Jain School of Painting.
NCERT (2026-27): “Western Indian School of Painting …With the presence of some significant ports in Gujarat, there was a network of trade routes passing through these areas, especially, making merchants, traders and local chieftains powerful patrons of art due to the wealth and prosperity that trading brought in. The merchant class, largely represented by the Jain community, led to become significant patrons of themes related to Jainism.” |