Most of the paintings that we see today as Mughal miniatures were originally parts of what?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Manuscripts and royal albums
Option (1) Collections of provincial Mughal rulers — Incorrect. Provincial Mughal rulers took in skilled artists only when patronage declined in the later phase. Most Mughal miniatures were made as parts of manuscripts and albums.
Option (2) Manuscripts and royal albums — Correct. Mughal miniatures were parts of manuscripts and royal albums, where picture and text shared one page.
Option (3) Works of the Provincial and Company School — Incorrect. The Mughal style merged into the Provincial and Company School only at the end. These were later styles, not the home of most Mughal miniatures.
Option (4) Works of Humayun’s Persian masters — Incorrect. Humayun invited two master artists to India. Most Mughal miniatures, though, were made as parts of manuscripts and royal albums, not as a set of their works.
NCERT (2026-27): “Process of Mughal Painting Most of the paintings that we see as Mughal miniatures were parts of manuscripts and royal albums, i.e., the visual and text shared space in a given format. For making book painting, the following process was adopted. Sheets of handmade paper were prepared and cut to suit the size of the manuscript. Designated space was left for the artist to fill it with a suitable visual composition.” “Later Mughal Painting Due to gradual decline of ardent patronage, highly skilled artists left the Mughal atelier and were welcomed by provincial Mughal rulers. …Eventually, the Mughal miniature style converged into other styles of the Provincial and Company School.” |