Read the passage on early Golconda painting and answer the question.
The earlier Golconda paintings, dated 1635–1650, are covered with pictorial designs, generally figures in architectural settings of varied origin.
For what use were these paintings made?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → As wall hangings
Option (1) As pages bound up in a Diwan — Incorrect. The five earliest Golconda miniatures were bound up in the Diwan of Hafiz. They are miniatures, not paintings eight feet high.
Option (2) As wall hangings — Correct. These earlier paintings, at times eight feet high, were made to be used as wall hangings.
Option (3) As portraits done for the bazaar — Incorrect. The portraits of sultans that Dutch merchants carried to Europe in the late seventeenth century were probably done for the bazaar.
Option (4) As folios of an illustrated encyclopaedia — Incorrect. The Nujum al-Ulum is the illustrated encyclopaedia of Bijapur, not a Golconda work.
NCERT (2026-27): “Golconda School of Painting …Golconda’s art became popular as Dutch merchants carried the portraits of sultans in the late seventeenth century to Europe. These were probably done for the bazaar and had references to royal paintings. The earlier Golconda paintings, dated 1635–1650, at times as large as eight feet high, were made to be used as wall hangings. These paintings are covered with pictorial designs, generally, figures in architectural settings of varied origin.” |