The pre-Mughal indigenous schools of painting in India had their own distinct style. What did the Mughal style of painting offer in contrast to the indigenous Indian style?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Almost three-dimensional figures and optical reality
Option (1) Flat perspective and vivid colour palette — Incorrect. Flat perspective and a vivid colour palette are features of the indigenous Indian style. The Mughal style offered subtlety and finesse in contrast.
Option (2) Almost three-dimensional figures and optical reality — Correct. The Mughal style gave subtlety and finesse. Its figures looked almost three-dimensional, and its pictures created optical reality.
Option (3) Bold modelling of figures and architecture — Incorrect. Bold modelling of figures and architecture belongs to the indigenous Indian style, not to the Mughal contrast.
Option (4) Emphasis on strong use of lines — Incorrect. A strong use of lines was stressed by the indigenous Indian style. The Mughal style offered finesse instead.
NCERT (2026-27): “The Mughal School of Miniature 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 royal court scenes, portraits, depiction of accurate flora and fauna were some of the favourite themes of the Mughal artists.…” |