The following statements are about how Mughal paintings were made and who made them.
(A) In book painting, once the text was written, the artist composed a synoptic visual representation of it.
(B) The painting of Bahadur Shah Zafar, dated 1838, was made about two decades after his exile to Burma.
(C) Inspired by Akbar’s interest, sub-imperial courts made works for aristocrats who tried to copy the Mughal atelier taste.
(D) In Mughal book painting, the final stage of colouring was called tarh.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A) and (C) only
(A) In making a book painting, once the text was written, it was given to the artist, who would compose a synoptic visual representation of the text. — Correct. The pages were first ruled and filled with text; then the artist made the synoptic visual.
(B) The painting of Bahadur Shah Zafar, dated 1838, was made about two decades after he was exiled to Burma by the British. — Incorrect. The painting was made about two decades before his exile, not after it.
(C) Inspired by Akbar’s interest in arts, many sub-imperial courts produced works for aristocratic families, who tried to copy the Mughal court atelier taste. — Correct. Their works showed distinctive subjects in regional flavour.
(D) In Mughal book painting, the final stage of colouring was called tarh. — Incorrect. Tarh was the stage of making the composition. The final colouring was rangamizi.
NCERT (2026-27): “Later Mughal Painting Although some masterworks were produced during the periods of Muhammad Shah Rangila, Shah Alam II and Bhadur Shah Zafar, these were mere last flickers in the candle that was the Mughal miniature style. Bahadur Shah Zafar, painting, dated 1838, was made about two decades before he was exiled to Burma by the British, who were quick to see that no claimant to Mughal authority remains anywhere near Delhi to claim their imperial authority, after the failure of the Indian Revolt of 1857.” “Process of Mughal Painting …Designated space was left for the artist to fill it with a suitable visual composition. Then, the pages were ruled and filled with text. Once the text was written, it was given to the artist, who would compose a synoptic visual representation of the text. The artist would begin from the stage of making the composition, i.e., tarh, to portraits, i.e., chiharanama to the final stage of colouring, i.e., rangamizi.” “The Mughal School of Miniature Painting Inspired by Akbar’s interest in arts, many sub-imperial courts absorbed this passion and several great works of art were produced for aristocratic families, who tried to copy the Mughal court atelier taste and produced works that present distinctive subjects and visual preferences in regional flavour.” |