The Nujum al-Ulum is a richly illustrated encyclopaedia from Bijapur, dated 1570. Three of the following are linked with this manuscript. Which one is the odd one out?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Skies coloured in gold and blue in separate bands
Option (1) The page called The Throne of Prosperity — Linked with the Nujum al-Ulum. The caption under this page reads Nujum al-Ulum: The Throne of Prosperity, Bijapur, 1570.
Option (2) Astronomical illustrations perhaps derived from Ottoman Turkish manuscripts — Linked with the Nujum al-Ulum. Bijapur had a close connection with Turkey, and the astronomical illustrations of the Nujum al-Ulum may have come from Ottoman Turkish manuscripts.
Option (3) Miniatures that illustrate weapons, utensils and constellations — Linked with the Nujum al-Ulum. Of its 876 miniatures, many show weapons and utensils, while others show the constellations.
Option (4) Skies coloured in gold and blue in separate bands — Not linked with the Nujum al-Ulum. This is the peculiar feature of a Golconda manuscript of a Sufi poem, illustrated with more than 20 miniatures.
NCERT (2026-27): “Bijapur School of Painting Paintings from Bijapur in the sixteenth century have a richly illustrated encyclopaedia known as the Nujum al-Ulum dated 1570. Among the 876 miniatures, which adorn this remarkable little volume, many illustrate weapons and utensils, while others the constellations.… Bijapur had a close connection with Turkey and astronomical illustrations in Nujum al-Ulum may have been derived from Ottoman Turkish manuscripts.” “Golconda School of Painting …A manuscript of a Sufi poem with paraphrased prose is richly illustrated with more than 20 miniatures. Gold is again freely used. A peculiar feature seen is the colouring of the skies in gold and blue in separate bands.”
Nujum al-Ulum: The Throne of Prosperity, Bijapur, 1570, The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, Ireland |
