Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Fine Arts

Chapter

The Mughal School of Miniature Painting

Question:

Observe the image and read the passage given below and answer the following questions:

The zebra in the painting was from Ethiopia, brought by Turks, and presented to Mughal emperor Jahangir by his nobleman Mir Ja’far, who had acquired it. Jahangir wrote on the painting in Persian, the court language, that it was: “A mule which the Turks (rumiyan) in the company of Mir Ja’far had brought from Ethiopia [Habesha]”.

What was the initial suspicion about the zebra that Jahangir in Jahangirnama?

Options:

It was a mythical creature.

It was a magical being.

It was a unicorn without a horn.

It was a disguised horse.

Correct Answer:

It was a disguised horse.

Explanation:

Answer:  It was a disguised horse.
Jahangir mentioned that some thought the zebra was a horse on which someone had painted stripes.

The zebra in the painting was from Ethiopia, brought by Turks, and presented to Mughal emperor Jahangir by his nobleman Mir Ja’far, who had acquired it. Jahangir wrote on the painting in Persian, the court language, that it was: “A mule which the Turks (rumiyan) in the company of Mir Ja’far had brought from Ethiopia [Habesha]”. Its likeness was drawn by Nadir ul asr (Wonder of the Age) Ustad Mansur. In Jahangirnama, it is clearly stated that the animal was presented to him during Nowruz or New Year festivities in March 1621. It is also mentioned that Jahangir had carefully examined it as some thought that it was a horse on which someone had painted stripes. Jahangir decided to send it to Shah Abbas of Iran, with whom he often exchanged rare and unique gifts, including animals and birds. And the Shah would also send him rare gifts like the Falcon discussed earlier. The painting 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.