Identify the main features of Mughal Miniature Painting from the given options.

Calligraphic inscription, decorative Border design

The correct answer is Option 1- Calligraphic inscription, decorative Border design

The Mughal atelier consisted of calligraphers, painters, gilders and binders. Paintings recorded and documented significant events, personalities and interests of the emperors. These were meant to be seen by the royals only. The paintings were made to suit the sensitivity of the royals or often made as intellectual stimulation. The paintings were a part of manuscripts and albums.

Baburnama reflects the love and fondness that Babur had as an outsider for the Indian land and ecology. With his fervour for detailed writing, Babur established a tradition of keeping memoirs, a practice which was followed by his successors in India. The books and albums that were produced in the royal ateliers were not only calligraphed but also painted. These books of value were preserved and passed on to members of the royal family or gifted to those perceived as deserving. Babur had a keen eye for portraiture and this is also recorded in his memoirs

A bibliophile of discerning sensitivity, Humayun’s rule began a period of intense patronage for the art of painting and calligraphy. From his period, we get clear visual and textual documents that testify an active interest in building an artistic repertoire and an imperial atelier. This is an indication of Humayun’s artistic taste and helps us form a picture of Humayun as a connoisseur and an aesthete.

Akbar envisioned cultural integration and commissioned translation of several revered Hindu texts. He commissioned translation and illustration of revered Sanskrit texts into Persian. The Persian translation and illustrated version of the Hindu epic Mahabharata done this period came to be known as Razm Nama. This was completed in 1589 under the supervision of master artist Daswant. This manuscript was scribed in ornate calligraphy and contained 169 paintings. The translation and illustration of the Ramayana were also carried out around this time.

The Zebra painting of the Mughal era later came in Emperor Shah Jahan’s possession. It was added to the royal album of paintings and calligraphies. The ornate borders of the painting are additions made in Shah Jahan’s reign.