What types of art were promoted by the art schools in major Indian cities during the 19th century?

Traditional Indian crafts, and academic and naturalist art

Answer: Traditional Indian crafts, and academic and naturalist art
The art schools tended to promote traditional Indian crafts, as well as academic and naturalist art that reflected Victorian tastes.

Fine arts was seen as European by the British. They felt that Indians lacked training and sensibility to be able to create and appreciate fine arts. By mid and late nineteenth century, art schools were established in major cities like Lahore, Calcutta (now, Kolkata), Bombay (now, Mumbai) and Madras (now, Chennai). These art schools tended to promote traditional Indian crafts, and academic and naturalist art that reflected Victorian tastes. Even the Indian crafts, which received support, were the ones based on European taste and on the demands made by its market.