Comprehension:
Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:-
The accomplished tradition of painting at Bundi gave rise to one of the most outstanding Rajasthani Schools of miniature painting, Kota, which excels in the depiction of hunting scenes and reflects an exceptional excitement and obsession for animal chases. Bundi and Kota were parts of the same kingdom till 1625, when Jahangir divided the Bundi empire and awarded one part to Madhu Singh, the younger son of Rao Ratan Singh, for his bravery in defending him against his son Prince Khurram’s (Shah Jahan) rebellion in Deccan.
After its separation from Bundi, Kota had its own School, commencing in the reign of Jagat Singh (1658-1683). In the early period, the paintings of Bundi and Kota couldn’t be distinguished for several decades as Kota painters borrowed from the Bundi repertoire. Some compositions were taken verbatim from Bundi pictures. However, there is an attitude of non-conformity apparent in figural and architectural exaggerations. With a flair for drawing superseding in the following decades, the Kota style of painting became strikingly individual. By the reign of Ram Singh (1686-1708), artists had passionately enlarged their inventory to a large variety of subjects. Kota artists seem to have been the first to render landscapes as the real subject of compositions. Umed Singh (1770-1819) acceded to the throne at the age of ten years, but his regent arranged for the young king to be amused with hunting and gaming from an early age. Paintings served as flattering records of his exploits and the obsession with the chase, which became a social ritual in which even women of the court participated. Kota artists excelled in rendering animals and combat, and paintings thus reflect a characteristically spontaneous and calligraphic execution.
Read the given passage carefully and organise the following options in the chronological order of their occurrence.
(A) The rendering of landscapes as the real subjects of compositions.
(B) The inauguration of the Kota school of miniature painting.
(C) Prince Khurram’s rebellion in the Deccan plateau.
(D) Emergence of a distinct style of Kota paintings through the depiction of animals and an obsession with the chase.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (C), (B), (A), (D)
The passage gives the events in this order:
- (C) Prince Khurram’s rebellion in the Deccan — first: before 1625, when Jahangir divided Bundi and gave a part (Kota) to Madhu Singh for defending him against it.
- (B) The inauguration of the Kota school — next: its own school began in the reign of Jagat Singh (1658-1683).
- (A) Landscapes as the real subjects of compositions — then: by the reign of Ram Singh (1686-1708) the artists had enlarged their range, and Kota artists were the first to make landscapes the real subject.
- (D) A distinct style through animals and the chase — last: under Umed Singh (1770-1819), when paintings recorded his hunting and Kota artists excelled in rendering animals and combat.