Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Fine Arts

Chapter

The Mughal School of Miniature Painting

Question:

Which statement about the zebra and Ustad Mansur is incorrect?

Options:

Ustad Mansur drew the likeness of the zebra.

The zebra was presented to Jahangir during Nowruz or New Year festivities

The painting of the zebra later came into the possession of Shah Jahan.

Jahangir wrote on the painting in Turkish

Correct Answer:

Jahangir wrote on the painting in Turkish

Explanation:

The zebra in the painting was from Ethiopia, brought by Turks, and presented to Mughal emperor Jahangir by his nobleman Mir Ja’far, who had acquired it. Jahangir wrote on the painting in Persian, the court language, that it was: “A mule which the Turks (rumiyan) in the company of Mir Ja’far had brought from Ethiopia [Habesha]”. Its likeness was drawn by Nadir ul asr (Wonder of the Age) Ustad Mansur. In Jahangirnama, it is clearly stated that the animal was presented to him during Nowruz or New Year festivities in March 1621. It is also mentioned that Jahangir had carefully examined it as some thought that it was a horse on which someone had painted stripes. Jahangir decided to send it to Shah Abbas of Iran, with whom he often exchanged rare and unique gifts, including animals and birds. And the Shah would also send him rare gifts like the Falcon discussed earlier. The painting later came in Emperor Shah Jahan’s possession. It was added to the royal album of paintings and calligraphies. The ornate borders of the painting are additions made in Shah Jahan’s reign.