Ibrahim II (1580–1627) of Bijapur was a patron of art and literature. Which ruler before him also patronised the Bijapur school of painting?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Ali Adil Shah I
Option (1) Ali Adil Shah I — Correct. Ali Adil Shah I (1558–1580) patronised the school, and Ibrahim II was his successor.
Option (2) Hussain Nizam Shah I — Incorrect. He ruled Ahmadnagar. The earliest Deccani volume of poems celebrates his reign.
Option (3) Ibrahim Qutb Shah — Incorrect. He ruled Golconda (1550–1580). A manuscript dedicated to “Ibrahim Adil” is presumed to be for him.
Option (4) Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah — Incorrect. He was a Golconda ruler, seen in Dancing before Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (1590).
NCERT (2026-27): “Bijapur School of Painting …The school of Bijapur was patronised by Ali Adil Shah I (1558–1580) and his successor Ibrahim II (1580–1627), both patrons of art and literature. The latter was also an expert in Indian music and author of a book on this subject, Nauras-nama. He was the owner of Nujum al-Ulum manuscript and might have commissioned the Ragamala series in the 1590s.” “Ahmadnagar School of Painting …Another interesting fact is that such painters may also have worked in the Deccan. This supported by a manuscript is now in the collection of Bankipore Library, Patna. It is signed by a scribe, Yusuf, and is dedicated to Ibrahim Adil (1569), presumably Ibrahim Qutb Shah of Golconda, who ruled from 1550–1580.” |