Why have most early examples of Mewar painting not survived?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Long wars with the Mughals
Option (1) Fratricidal conflict within the ruling family — Incorrect. This is said of Sawant Singh of Kishangarh, who was troubled by fratricidal conflict and gave up the throne in 1757. It is not the reason given for Mewar.
Option (2) Long wars with the Mughals — Correct. Long wars with the Mughals wiped out most early examples of Mewar painting.
Option (3) Numerous political disputes in the kingdom — Incorrect. This is said of a Bundi ruler, who faced numerous political disputes yet encouraged the art of painting. It is not the reason given for Mewar.
Option (4) The loss of the kingdom four times — Incorrect. This is said of a Bundi ruler, who still encouraged the art of painting.
NCERT (2026-27): “Mewar School of Painting Mewar is conjectured to be a significant early centre of painting in Rajasthan, from where, hypothetically, one would have been able to formalise a continuous stylistic tradition of painting — from pre-seventeenth century bold, indigenous styles to the subsequent refined and finer style post Karan Singh’s contact with the Mughals. However, long wars with the Mughals have wiped out most early examples. Therefore, the emergence of the Mewar School is widely associated with an early dated set of Ragamala paintings painted at Chawand in 1605 by an artist named Nisardin.” |