How were the margins of paintings decorated under Jahangir’s patronage?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Illuminated in gold and embellished with flora, fauna and human figures
Option (1) Filled with war scenes, portraits and narrative storytelling — Incorrect. War scenes, portraits and storytelling marked Akbar’s style; under Jahangir they gave way to minute details and refined court scenes.
Option (2) Illuminated in gold and embellished with flora, fauna and human figures — Correct. The margins were illuminated in gold and embellished with flora, fauna and often poised human figures.
Option (3) Covered with rich intricate patterns taken from Persian sources — Incorrect. Rich patterns from Persian sources are on the floor, columns and canopy of the Hamza Nama painting Spies Attack the City of Kaymar.
Option (4) Bordered with trees and creepers in pure yellows, reds and browns — Incorrect. Trees, creepers and a palette of pure yellows, reds and browns are the Indian elements of that same Hamza Nama painting.
NCERT (2026-27): Pages 42-43: “…The Muraqqas individual paintings to be mounted in albums became popular under Jahangir’s patronage. The margins of the paintings were highly illuminated in gold and embellished with flora, fauna, and often poised human figures. The war scenes, portraits, narrative and storytelling prevalent in Akbar’s style were overtaken by minute details and refined rendering of lavish court scenes, aristocracy, royal personalities, as well as, character traits, and distinctiveness of flora and fauna.” |