Bijapur had a close connection with another land. The astronomical illustrations in its Nujum al-Ulum may have been derived from which manuscripts?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Ottoman Turkish manuscripts
Option (1) Ottoman Turkish manuscripts — Correct. Bijapur had a close connection with Turkey, and its astronomical pictures may come from Ottoman Turkish manuscripts.
Option (2) Persian manuscripts — Incorrect. Persian links are noted in the colouring of The Throne of Prosperity, not as the source of the astronomical pictures.
Option (3) Bukhara manuscripts — Incorrect. The Bukhara idiom is linked with the Gulistan of 1567 and the Bankipore Library manuscript.
Option (4) Gujarati manuscripts — Incorrect. Gujarati manuscripts are recalled by the margin decoration in the plants beside the throne.
NCERT (2026-27): “Bijapur School of Painting The school of Bijapur was patronised by Ali Adil Shah I (1558–1580) and his successor Ibrahim II (1580–1627), both patrons of art and literature. The latter was also an expert in Indian music and author of a book on this subject, Nauras-nama. He was the owner of Nujum al-Ulum manuscript and might have commissioned the Ragamala series in the 1590s. Bijapur had a close connection with Turkey and astronomical illustrations in Nujum al-Ulum may have been derived from Ottoman Turkish manuscripts.” |