Why is the term ‘Bengal School of Art’ not fully accurate?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → The movement began in Bengal but later influenced artists in different parts of the country.

Option (1) The movement began in Bengal but later influenced artists in different parts of the country. — Correct. The first move came in Bengal, but it was not restricted to this region alone. It later spread to artists across India.
Option (2) The movement began in Lahore and later moved to Calcutta, the centre of British power. — Incorrect. The movement originated in Calcutta, the centre of British power. Lahore only had a similar art school, which focused on crafts.
Option (3) The movement began in Bengal but was spearheaded by E. B. Havell, a British administrator. — Incorrect. It was spearheaded by Abanindranath Tagore. E. B. Havell, principal of the Calcutta School of Art, only supported him.
Option (4) The movement began in Bengal but its first national art school was founded in Lahore. — Incorrect. India’s first national art school was founded at Shantiniketan, not Lahore. The Lahore school focused on crafts like metalwork and furniture.

NCERT (2026-27): “The Bengal School The term ‘Bengal School of Art’ is not fully accurate. It is true that the first move to create a modern, nationalist school happened in Bengal but it was not restricted to this region alone. It was an art movement and a style of painting that originated in Calcutta, the centre of British power, but later influenced many artists in different parts of the country, including Shantiniketan, where India’s first national art school was founded. It was associated with the nationalist movement (Swadeshi) and spearheaded by Abanindranath Tagore (1871–1951).…”