The Mughal atelier set high standards for painting in its time. Consider the following statements:
(A) Inspired by Akbar’s interest, sub-imperial courts made works for aristocrats who tried to copy the Mughal atelier taste.
(B) The artists of the Mughal atelier creatively assimilated three styles: indigenous, Persian and Chinese.
(C) The Mughal atelier consisted of calligraphers, painters, gilders and binders.
(D) Akbar’s atelier preferred fewer, better artworks, each by a single master artist.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A) and (C) only
A. Inspired by Akbar’s interest, sub-imperial courts made works for aristocrats who tried to copy the Mughal atelier taste. — Correct. Akbar’s passion spread to sub-imperial courts, whose works copied the Mughal atelier taste in a regional flavour.
B. The artists of the Mughal atelier creatively assimilated three styles: indigenous, Persian and Chinese. — Incorrect. The third style was European, not Chinese. The mix made the Mughal school a melting pot of styles.
C. The Mughal atelier consisted of calligraphers, painters, gilders and binders. — Correct. These four groups of craftsmen made up the Mughal atelier.
D. Akbar’s atelier preferred fewer, better artworks, each by a single master artist. — Incorrect. Works in Akbar’s atelier were mass produced. Fewer, better works by a single master artist were preferred in Jahangir’s atelier.
NCERT (2026-27): “Influences on Mughal Painting In the Mughal courts, arts became more formalised as there were workshops and many artists were brought from Iran, which resulted in a harmonious blend of Indo-Iranian styles, especially during its early years. This celebrated eminence in Mughal art was possible only due to its distinctive character of assimilating and engaging artists of both Indian and Iranian origins, who contributed towards making, and further elevating the artistic paradigm of the Mughal style. The Mughal atelier consisted of calligraphers, painters, gilders and binders. …” “The Mughal School of Miniature Painting Inspired by Akbar’s interest in arts, many sub-imperial courts absorbed this passion and several great works of art were produced for aristocratic families, who tried to copy the Mughal court atelier taste and produced works that present distinctive subjects and visual preferences in regional flavour. … In contrast to the Akbar’s atelier, where the works were mass produced, Jahangir’s atelier gave preference to a lesser number and better quality of artworks produced by a single master artist.…” “The Mughal School of Miniature Painting …The artists of the Mughal atelier creatively assimilated the three styles — indigenous, Persian and European, making the Mughal Art School a melting pot of vibrant styles of its time yet very distinct in its own way.…” |