Who were the key figures behind the Indianization of art education in 1896?

E. B. Havell and Abanindranath Tagore

Answer- E. B. Havell and Abanindranath Tagore
E. B. Havell and Abanindranath Tagore saw the need to Indianize art education in 1896.

The year 1896 was important in the Indian history of visual arts. E. B. Havell and Abanindranath Tagore saw a need to Indianise art education in the country. This began in the Government Art School, Calcutta, now, Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata. Similar art schools were established in Lahore, Bombay and Madras but their primary focus was on crafts like metalwork, furniture and curios. However, the one in Calcutta was more inclined towards fine arts. Havell and Abanindranath Tagore designed a curriculum to include and encourage technique and themes in Indian art traditions. Abanindranath’s Journey’s End shows the influence of Mughal and Pahari miniatures, and his desire to create an Indian style in painting.