Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Fine Arts

Chapter

The Mughal School of Miniature Painting

Question:

Observe the panting and answer the questions asked:

Who was 'Hamza' the central character of Hamzanama paintings, patronaged by Humayun and Akbar?

Options:

Uncle of Timur

Uncle of Prophet Muhammad.

Uncle of Babur

Uncle of Jesus Christ

Correct Answer:

Uncle of Prophet Muhammad.

Explanation:

The earliest of Akbar's projects is the continuation of his father’s artistic legacy of Hamza Nama, an illustrated account of the heroic deeds of Hamza, the uncle of Prophet Muhammad. Akbar took delight in hearing the stories of Hamza, a character much loved in the Middle East popular and intellectual circles, which were read out aloud by a professional narrator. Simultaneously, the corresponding folios and painted Hamza Nama narrative was held for a clear view. The emperor took great interest in both pictorial narrative, as well as, recitation of Hamza Nama. Because of the peculiar function of these paintings, their format is large. The base surface is cloth with paper at the back, on which the narrative text is written to help the narrator and the technique applied is gouache, which is water-based and in opaque colours.