The pre-Mughal indigenous schools of painting in India had their own strong style. Which features did this indigenous Indian style emphasise?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Flat perspective, strong use of lines, vivid colour palette
Option (1) Almost three-dimensional figures and optical reality — Incorrect. Almost three-dimensional figures and optical reality belong to the Mughal style, not the indigenous one.
Option (2) Subtlety, finesse and jewel-like colours — Incorrect. Subtlety and finesse were offered by the Mughal style, and jewel-like colours mark the works made under Shah Jahan.
Option (3) Flat perspective, strong use of lines, vivid colour palette — Correct. The indigenous Indian style emphasised flat perspective, strong use of lines and a vivid colour palette, with bold modelling of figures and architecture.
Option (4) Idealisation, great stylisation and intricate fine lines — Incorrect. Idealisation, great stylisation and intricate fine lines were preferred in the atelier of Shah Jahan, not in the indigenous style.
NCERT (2026-27): “Influences on Mughal Painting …The pre–Mughal and parallel indigenous schools of paintings in India had their strong distinct style, aesthetics and purpose. The indigenous Indian style emphasised on flat perspective, strong use of lines, vivid colour palette, and bold modelling of figures and architecture. The Mughal style offered subtlety and finesse, portrayed almost three-dimensional figures and created optical reality. …” “The Mughal School of Miniature Painting …Shah Jahan encouraged the artists in the atelier to create magnificent works that were a blend of imagination and documentation. Idealisation and great stylisation were preferred over naturalistic rendering and accurate depiction. The artworks produced under his supervision concentrated on subliminal qualities and exalted beautification, which was created by the use of jewel-like colours, perfect rendering and intricate fine lines. …” |